Next step in future of Aspen’s traffic woes? An environmental evaluation

Environmental impact evaluations on a possible major infrastructure project possibly going over a large swath of public land at Aspen’s entrance could happen as early as May 2025, according to the city.

City leaders discussed during a Monday workshop efforts to begin the new environmental impact statement, estimated to cost $2 million to $3 million. The city also recently approved an additional $6.5 million in the Asset Management Plan Fund budget to support this effort and other related needs.

The EIS, if approved by the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, will last two years and potentially lead to replacement of Castle Creek Bridge as well as various roadway alterations at the Maroon Creek Roundabout.

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“The first step is public and stakeholder engagement, followed by purpose and need, and then presenting the need to CDOT, FHWA for acceptance of starting a new EIS,” City Council member Ward Hauenstein said. “If they accept, then look at fresh alternatives and solutions.”

One possible major change includes roadway branching off from the roundabout, including cut and cover tunnels at Marolt Open Space, going over a second Castle Creek Bridge, and directly onto Main Street. The option is otherwise known as the Preferred Alternative.

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Castle Creek Bridge, built in 1961 with a 50-year design life, now exceeds its intended lifespan. Despite this, a recent CDOT inspection report classified the bridge as being in fair condition and safe for traffic.

Aspen’s efforts to resolve traffic congestion and infrastructure challenges date back to the 1990s, when it joined state and federal officials to develop a Record of Decision. 

This included a Preferred Alternative which led to improvements like the Maroon Creek Bridge, the roundabout, and the Owl Creek Road realignment. The Preferred Alternative, however, remains incomplete.

Aspen City Council responded this past fall by directing staff to develop a new scope for a National Environmental Policy Act process, which requires an EIS for major infrastructure projects, to reassess solutions for the Entrance to Aspen. If the EIS is not approved, the 1998 Record of Decision and the Preferred Alternative would remain a default framework 

Mayor Torre questioned whether an EIS would be necessary if the existing Preferred Alternative moved forward unchanged. 

“Is there a need to go through an EIS for any changes that are in the PA?” he asked, pointing out that modifications may be required due to the time-lapse. 

City Council member Sam Rose underscored the time-lapse as justification for a new EIS, asking, “Are there any other communities that have ignored their EIS for as long as Aspen? Most cities implement their EIS within a couple of years.”

The pre-NEPA process will also consider the impact of commuter traffic from the valley. 

Bus lanes, currently used as an interim solution for future light rail, align with the original Preferred Alternative but may trigger Aspen’s Open Space code, requiring a public vote, according to City Attorney Jim True.

Mayor Torre welcomed input from downvalley commuters but emphasized that the focus should remain on Aspen residents. 

“For the most part, this should be an upper-valley discussion because of our shared winter commutes, because we drive through this section of road frequently,” Torre said. “I do not have any problem taking input and listening to commuters as far down as Parachute or Rifle or Grand Junction if you want to. I just think it’s important that they understand the entire scope of this project. This will not improve commute times by any significant margin.”

Jacobs Engineering, the city’s primary consultant, is refining the Purpose and Need — a foundational element of the EIS defining project goals and issues — to support a pre-NEPA process, expected to conclude by May 2025. 

This stage will include public engagement, stakeholder workshops, and traffic and safety data analysis.

To date, the City has allocated $2 million toward project development, with $431,596.69 remaining in the 2024 budget. 

Project expenses include $981,484.25 for Jacobs Engineering contracts, $30,441 for Probolsky Polling, and $14,638.06 for miscellaneous costs, totaling $1,568,403.31. The project’s lifetime budget, including the 2025 request, now stands at $8.5 million, ensuring funding not only for the EIS but also for other related needs.