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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12626RESOLUTION NO. 12626 A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE MODIFIED I-25 ALTERNATIVE SET FORTH IN THE NEW PUEBLO FREEWAY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT COMPLETED BY THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION WHEREAS, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) propose improvements to the Interstate 25 (I-25) Corridor from just south of United States Highway 50 (US 50)/State Highway 47 (milepost 101) to just south of Pueblo Boulevard (milepost 94) in Pueblo, Colorado, a distance of approximately seven miles (the “New Pueblo Freeway Project”); and WHEREAS, the purpose of the New Pueblo Freeway Project is to: (1) improve safety by addressing deteriorating roadways, bridges, and unsafe road characteristics on I-25; and (2) improve local and regional mobility within and through the City to meet existing and future travel demands. The need for the Project results from the highway's age and the design practices utilized at the time it was built, which has led to safety and mobility problems; and WHEREAS, after an active public participation program, CDOT and FHWA have prepared and published the New Pueblo Freeway Environmental Impact Statement and Section 4(f) Evaluation for I-25 Improvements through Pueblo, (EIS); and WHEREAS, pursuant to the EIS, CDOT and FHWA have preliminarily identified the Modified I-25 Alternative as the preferred alternative for the New Pueblo Freeway Project as it better addresses the local and regional mobility problems; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: SECTION 1. The Pueblo City Council expresses its support and preference for the Modified I- 25 Alternative for the New Pueblo Freeway Project, as same is set forth in the New Pueblo Freeway Environmental Impact Statement and Section 4(f) Evaluation for I-25 Improvements through Pueblo. SECTION 2. The plan is approved with the condition that appropriate signage be added directing the public to local attractions, businesses, and community features. SECTION 3. The City Clerk is directed to deliver a certified copy of this Resolution to Tom Wrona, Region 2 Transportation Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation. SECTION 4. This Resolution shall become effective upon passage and approval. INTRODUCED: March 25, 2013 BY: Chris Kaufman Background Paper for Proposed RESOLUTION DATE: MARCH 25, 2013 AGENDA ITEM # M-11 DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – EARL WILKINSON, P.E. PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT JULIE ANN WOODS, AICP/ASLA, DIRECTOR TITLE A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE MODIFIED I-25 ALTERNATIVE SET FORTH IN THE NEW PUEBLO FREEWAY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT COMPLETED BY THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION ISSUE Should City Council approve a Resolution in support of the preferred alignment as identified in the New Pueblo Freeway Environmental Impact Statement? RECOMMENDATION The Planning and Zoning Commission, at their February 13, 2013 Regular Meeting, voted 6-1 to recommend approval with the condition that appropriate signage be added directing the public to local attractions, businesses, and community features. BACKGROUND In 2000, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) embarked on an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) proposing improvements to I-25 from Pueblo Blvd to US 50. I-25 through the City is an aging facility that was constructed between 1949 and 1959. Community and local agencies were involved early in the process and involvement has been ongoing since the project began in 2000. The project team, consisting of representatives from the City, County, State and Federal government used the Context Sensitive Solutions process to provide opportunities for meaningful participation in the decision process beginning with the problem definition, continuing through the development of alternative solutions and evaluation and screening of alternatives and ending with the identification of the preferred alternative for implementation. FHWA and CDOT have identified the Modified I-25 Alignment Alternative as the preferred alternative for improvements to I-25 through Pueblo because it better addresses the local and regional mobility problems identified by the community early in the project. FINANCIAL IMPACT No financial impact.