Paulson: Less traffic without more asphalt

Incredible how important a passive property can become, the Marolt Open Space. Two petitions are being processed expressing what should happen there. One petition is lobbying for unrestricted traffic lanes (read the fine print). This one carries the misconception that it solves traffic congestion. The second simply asks to amend the city charter raising the approval bar to 60% for parks and open space.

We are at another crossroads in Aspen’s future. Will we take a leap into the future discontinuing anymore catering to the automobile? At what point do we say enough is enough? More traffic does not equate to a healthy business environment.

So what to do? First, elect a city council that promises to reduce traffic by not laying down more asphalt. They have many tools to do so, many of which are not being implemented. Second, pass the ballot question raising the approval bar to 60%. Third, do not pass any question(s) that give CDOT a blank check to construct a multiple lane freeway across Marolt.

Many communities around the world (including ours) have tried the more asphalt solution only to find it’s temporary. “Build it, and they will come” is the motto. Time for the debate to stop. The collective consciousness of Aspen and the valley speaks volumes about any traffic solution involving more of the same simply does not work. It is guaranteed that if the community says “the s-curves are all we have” engineering would design something acceptable to all. We have a chance to do the right thing for Aspen’s vitality and preserve the last great open space left on the west side of town. Enough is enough.

Terry Paulson

Aspen