A contract to widen Ridge Road to four lanes and a design recommendation for the future widening of Fifth Street to four lanes were approved at Town Council’s April 5 meeting. Here is a closer look:
- Ridge Road widening contract – Town Council approved a contract with Schmidt Construction to widen Ridge Road to four lanes between Fifth Street/State Highway 86 and Plum Creek Parkway. Traffic volumes on the stretch have risen, and the widening will help improve safety and operations along the road.
Schmidt was recommended for the job from among four firms following a competitive bidding process. Under the contract, the Town will pay Schmidt up to $4.65 million for its work, which in addition to the widening will include a median, sidewalk on the west side, bike lanes and streetlights.
Work is expected to begin in May and be complete this fall. Because the road was constructed in anticipation of future widening, disturbance during the project should be minimal.
Watch the presentation and Council discussion: https://castlerock-co.granicus.com/player/clip/1359?meta_id=168105
- Fifth Street design recommendation – Council also approved Town staff’s recommendation that Fifth Street be widened to four lanes next year between Gilbert Street and Ridge Road. The project has three main objectives: 1) to increase multimodal use; 2) to improve safety; and 3) to improve operations.
Staff assessed six alternatives in arriving at its recommendation. Public feedback was a determining factor in recommending a four-lane design that includes a roundabout at Fifth Street’s intersection with Woodlands Boulevard and a traffic signal at its intersection with Valley Drive.
The design includes a raised median and a speed limit reduction from 45 mph to 35 mph. On-street bike lanes and an 8-foot sidewalk are also part of the plan.
Now that Town Council has provided direction, work will continue to finalize the design. Construction is currently slated for 2023.
Watch the presentation and Council discussion: https://castlerock-co.granicus.com/player/clip/1359?meta_id=168105
Also on the agenda, Council approved the use of the Town’s American Rescue Plan Act funds on the Ridge Road project, along with the upcoming project to widen Plum Creek Parkway between Eaton Street and Ridge Road. The Town’s use of this $5.7 million in federal funds on these projects will provide additional budget capacity to complete other road projects sooner than currently planned.
Additionally, Council approved updates to Castle Rock Fire and Rescue’s Community Risk Assessment/Standards of Cover and Strategic Plan documents. The first of these defines risks and outlines CRFD’s performance goals, while the latter sets goals for the department’s continuous improvement over the next five years.
Coming up
The next regular Town Council meeting is Tuesday, April 19. Visit CRgov.com/CouncilComments between April 14 and 19 to provide written feedback, or to sign up to speak via videoconference during the meeting. The meeting will be available live at CRgov.com/CouncilMeeting. In-person attendance will also be available.
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