Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions and answers cover the basic elements of the SH 133 Carbondale Access Control Plan. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact us.

What is an access control plan?

Any intersection or driveway along a roadway is called an access point. The purpose of an access control plan is to determine a long-term goal for which access points will be allowed, where they will be located, and what kinds of traffic movements will be allowed at each access.  This project will not define the future number of lanes or the typical cross-section of the highway.

Additional information is available on the Federal Highway Administration web site.

What is the goal of the SH 133 Carbondale Access Control Plan?
The goal of the access control plan is to enhance safety on SH 133 in Carbondale for drivers and pedestrians, to improve traffic flow, accommodate transit stops and circulation, and to provide the appropriate level of access to the properties adjacent to the highway.

What are the benefits of good access control?
The following benefits are associated with utilizing good access control techniques:

• Limiting the amount of access points on a corridor reduces the number of potential locations (called “conflict points”) that a crash may occur on the highway.  This is applicable for not only vehicles, but also for pedestrians and bicycles having to cross multiple driveways along the corridor.
• Fewer locations for vehicles to brake or turn onto or off of the highway results in more efficient travel for through traffic.
• Fewer driveways on a roadway make the corridor more visually appealing to drivers.

You can learn more by reading the Federal Highway Administration's Benefits of Access Management brochure.

How do we manage access?
There are several ways to manage the number, location and design of access points, including:

• Consolidating access points that are not needed
• Sharing driveways between adjacent properties
• Using other roads to provide access to properties
• Not allowing left turns at access points

What happens if nothing is done to manage access?
Without a plan, the commuters, residents, businesses, and pedestrians along the SH 133 corridor could experience:

• A greater number of accidents involving vehicles and/or pedestrians
• Increased traffic congestion, resulting in higher levels of pollution and more delay for drivers
• A loss of visual appeal along the roadway
• A difficult driving experience caused by driveway clutter

Would construction for the ACP improvements begin immediately following the study?
No. The SH 133 Carbondale Access Control Plan represents a long-range plan. Currently there are no known planned State, Town, or Federal projects or identified funding that would result in major impacts to access on SH 133. There are and will be on-going development projects with planned improvements to SH 133 that may result in changes access, but these projects are being completed by private developers. Implementation of the SH 133 Carbondale ACP will occur over time based on traffic and safety needs, available funding, and redevelopment.

What local agencies are involved?
The Town of Carbondale, CDOT, and Garfield County.
For more information, contact:

Larry Ballenger
Director of Public Works
511 Colorado Avenue
Carbondale CO 81623
[email protected]
970-510-1217

or

Alisa Babler , P.E.
Permit Engineer
Colorado Department of Transportation, Region 3
222 South 6th St., Rm. 100
Grand Junction, CO 81501
[email protected]
970-683-6287

or

Anna Smith, P.E.
Project Consultant PBS&J
4601 DTC Boulevard, Suite 700
Denver, CO 80237
[email protected]
303-221-7275