Vasquez Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study
Overview
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) conducted a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study for the Vasquez/I-270 interchange, and for Vasquez Boulevard between 52nd Avenue on the south and 64th Avenue on the north. This study was a cooperative effort among CDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Commerce City, Adams County, and the City and County of Denver.
The Vasquez PEL study evaluated the existing and future operating conditions, and defined short-term and long-term improvements for the area. Some of the short-term improvements may include new turn lanes, improved signal timing or making property access more effective.
The study identified improvements that consider long-term transportation needs, such as:
- capacity;
- safety;
- access;
- connectivity; and
- transit, pedestrian, and bicycle needs.
Identified Challenges
The existing roads within the project area pose three major challenges:
- congestion
- inefficient access to surrounding properties
- circuitous routes for freight traffic
Heavy congestion occurs on I-270 during peak hours, and the intersection of Vasquez Boulevard and 60th Avenue is difficult for drivers and pedestrians to navigate and, thus, causes safety concerns.
Goals
CDOT and local agencies are interested in easing future congestion on I-270 and local roadways in the project area. Following are their primary goals:
- Address safety concerns.
- Improve connectivity within the project area for all modes.
- Improving the movement of freight through the project area.
Alternatives Considered
The project team and technical working group (TWG) evaluated three alternatives:
- At-grade alternative
- One-way pair alternative
- Viaduct alternative
The team used an approach to evaluate how each proposed alternative would address and meet the project goals. This approach allowed all stakeholders to understand the benefits and impacts, consider how each alternative addressed the issues most important to them, and balanced the various needs and priorities across different interests.
The information was used as the basis for discussion and collaborative decision-making to recommend an alternative to move forward for further design and evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
A PEL is a study used to identify transportation issues and environmental concerns, which can be applied to make planning decisions and for planning analysis. The PEL study links planning to environmental issues, and results in useful information that may ultimately be used to prepare a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study and final design, and to help streamline the planning process.
The Colorado Department of Transportation—in coordination with FHWA, Commerce City, Adams County, and the City and County of Denver—conducted this study to develop and evaluate short-term and long-term transportation alternatives, and to identify proposed improvements to the transportation system within the study area. The PEL study evaluated options to:
- Ease congestion.
- Address safety issues.
- Improve operational performance.
- Identify future transportation improvements.
The study area for this project was in Commerce City, Adams County, and the City and County of Denver. The project limits included three elements:
- the interchange of I-270 and Vasquez Boulevard;
- Vasquez Boulevard from 52nd Avenue on the south to East 64th Avenue, and the intersection of US Highway 6 and Colorado Highway 2 on the north (including the intersection of State Highway 2, East 60th Avenue, and East Parkway Drive); and
- I-270 for approximately one-half mile to each side of the interchange with Vasquez Boulevard.
Please check the map for additional information.
The key tasks of the PEL study were to:
- Conduct public outreach and coordination with local, state and federal resource agencies.
- Identify existing and future issues and problem areas in the corridor from operational, mobility, maintenance and safety perspectives.
- Identify natural resource and/or environmental agency requirements and concerns.
- Consolidate and address jurisdiction priorities and plans.
- Develop alternatives to address the short-term and long-term needs, and consider potential funding sources.
- Establish cost estimates for the short- and long-term improvements to use when seeking project funding.
- Develop next steps, an implementation plan and potential funding options.
The role of local agencies was to provide technical input and recommendations to CDOT through the technical working group (TWG). This group helped identify issues and opportunities, and provided recommendations throughout the decision-making process. The TWG shared information with and solicited input from its staff, and elected officials and constituents.
Alternatives were evaluated for consistency against agreed-upon evaluation criteria, using a tiered process. Decision-makers were inherently faced with considering tradeoffs during the alternatives-evaluation process.
The detailed alternatives-screening process determined impacts (both adverse and beneficial) of various corridor improvements. Action alternatives were compared to a "No Action" alternative. Traffic analysis considered local agency plans and refined land use projections into the year 2040. Public and agency comments were considered during the study process.
This study has developed recommendations to ease congestion, improve operational performance, address safety issues and identify future transportation improvements along the study corridor. The study has provided recommendations for future short- and long-term improvements, which may be used by agencies and CDOT to obtain funding for improvement projects.
The PEL study was completed in August 2018. This study made both short- and long-term improvement recommendations. A subsequent NEPA process will be required to implement ultimate improvements.
The timeline for improvements is dependent on funding availability. It is likely that the improvements would be constructed in phases.
Public and Agency Outreach
The purpose of agency and public outreach is to facilitate a transparent, inclusive and accessible process that provides a forum for engaging potentially interested parties.
Agencies will be involved through key stakeholder interviews and the technical working group (TWG). Businesses, residents and other interested members of the public will be engaged through open houses, targeted meetings with directly affected parties, and public information provided on the website, by email and mail.
The project team is aware that the study area community has been involved in the Central I-70 Project meetings and will also be engaged in the North Metropolitan Industrial Area Connectivity Study being conducted in parallel with the Vasquez PEL, and overlap among the projects is inevitable. This project will provide opportunities for engagement to stakeholders who do not wish to attend public meetings.
Public Meeting Materials & Summaries
The Technical Working Group (TWG) is comprised of local jurisdictions and agencies that have a significant stake in the future of the study area's transportation system. TWG members have an important role in helping to identify issues and opportunities.
The TWG will:
- Provide technical input and recommendations to CDOT for consideration in the decision-making process.
- Share information with and solicit input from their organizations, elected officials and other constituents.
- Provide input and support for the project's public outreach through efforts such as sharing project information with constituents via their organizations' websites, social media, or regularly scheduled meetings.
- Meet approximately five times from August 2016 to April 2017.
Agencies and organizations represented on the TWG include:
- CDOT
- FHWA
- Adams County
- Commerce City
- City and County of Denver
- Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)
- Regional Transportation District (RTD)
- Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA)
Outreach to businesses and residents in the study area is critical to ensure that the PEL study addresses local concerns and desired outcomes for future improvements. The business and resident outreach will occur throughout the study, and provide opportunities for meaningful involvement and input.
The study team's approach to public involvement is to:
- Engage businesses and residents in the study area early in the process and at key milestones throughout the study.
- Reach out to the different communities in their language and with culturally relevant information.
- Hold public open houses, one-on-one meetings with interest groups, neighborhood meetings and targeted meetings with property owners along Vasquez Boulevard.
The approach will be collaborative, allowing for an open exchange of information, concerns and potential improvements for the corridor.
Key business, resident and property owner stakeholders in the study area include those immediately adjacent to Vasquez Boulevard, as well as neighborhoods that would be potentially affected by any changes in access and circulation in the study area.
Other potential stakeholders include area commuters, business organizations, alternate transportation groups and railroads in the corridor.
Documents
The study was concluded in August 2018. CDOT and its partners will continue to define both the short-term and long-term solutions to move forward to construction. For access to the study documents listed below, contact the project team.
Study Documents
- Final Report: August 2018
- FHWA PEL Questionnaire
- Study Area Conditions Assessment Report
- Supporting Documentation from the Alternatives Development Process
- Traffic Operations Analysis & Memoranda
- Public & Agency Coordination
- Letters of Agency Support
- Near-Term Projects Implementation Plan
