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Newsletter No.1
 May 2000
Eagle County Airport Interchange
Environmental Assessment

Introduction

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) have begun an Environmental Assessment (EA) to address the proposed construction of a new interchange along Interstate 70 (I-70) between Eagle and Gypsum (see map). The purpose of the interchange is to provide more direct access to the Eagle County Regional Airport. CDOT has retained J.F. Sato and Associates (JFSA) to assist in preparing the EA. 

This is the first in a series of newsletters designed to keep you informed as the project proceeds. This issue summarizes the purpose and need for the project, study approach for completing the EA, and opportunities for the public to participate, in the EA process and provides an update of studies that are being conducted.

Purpose and Need

The primary need for a new interchange along Interstate 70 (I-70) is to provide a more direct connection between I-70 and the Eagle County Regional Airport, located south of State Highway 6 (SH 6) between the towns of Eagle and Gypsum. At present, vehicles bound for the airport must use indirect routes that are primary roadways serving the area for multiple reasons. The recently expanded airport has experienced a rapid increase in enplanements (number of persons landing and taking off) since 1990, and increases are expected to continue. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) annual data, the airport experienced more than 177,000 enplanements in 1997. This figure is projected to exceed 250,000 in the near future.

At the same time, the mountain communities of Eagle and Gypsum, situated between the major resort centers of Vail and Aspen, have experienced increased residential and commercial growth in recent years. This growth is also expected to continue.

The increases in use of the airport and continued growth in the area have resulted in corresponding increases in traffic on area roadways. Traffic volumes on the primary roadways serving the area, SH 6 and I-70F, are expected to double by 2020.

Project Objectives

As stated above, the primary purpose of the proposed interchange is to provide a more direct connection between I-70 and the Eagle County Regional Airport. However, additional benefits may result as follows:

  • Improve existing and projected congestion at the Eagle and Gypsum interchanges
  • Reduce projected traffic volumes along I-70F (Eagle spur road)
  • Reduce projected traffic volumes on SH 6
  • Potential for reduced air pollution through direct connectivity and reductions in motorist delays
  • Enhancements to area-wide intermodal transportation (including transit, rail, trails, and park-n-ride improvements (per 1996 Eagle County Master Plan)).

Project Background

In addressing the need for better access between I-70 and the airport, alternative locations for the proposed interchange were identified and studied through a cooperative effort among Eagle County, the towns of Eagle and Gypsum, and CDOT. The results of the preliminary study are reported in the I-70/Eagle Airport Interchange Concept Study (January 1999). The feasible alternative locations from that study, the no-action alternative, and any other reasonable alternatives identified through scoping will be carried forward and studied in more detail for the EA. 

Environmental Assessment

The next step is to conduct the studies necessary to prepare an EA. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the human, natural, and cultural environments will be studied for each of the alternatives, including no action. The objectives of the EA are to identify and document the potential impacts associated with each alternative, and compare the alternatives to one another to identify the preferred alternative that meets the need for the project. The process for conducting the EA is systematic and organized in five steps: Scoping, Alternatives Analysis, Environmental Analysis, identifying a Preferred Alternative, and Document Preparation. 

EA Process and Schedule

Project Update
04/2001

A rigorous screening process has been conducted to evaluate the alternatives for suitability to meet the purpose and need of the project, and engineering design requirements, and whether environmental constraints would be encountered, such as threatened or endangered species and sensitive cultural resources, where avoidance would be prudent.  A second screening of remaining alternatives will be conducted to identify those most likely to impact the environment.  The key environmental receptors in this analysis include:

  • Threatened and Endangered Species

  • Sensitive Species (e.g., raptor nest sites)

  • Ecology (e.g., riparian habitat, wildlife crossings)

  • Wetlands
  • Floodplain
  • Geology and Soils
  • Cultural Resources (historical, archaeological, paleontological)
  • Land Use

  Engineering design elements are also included in the screening, and include:

  • Mobility and Safety
  • Technical Feasibility and Approximate Cost (e.g., length of bridging, amount of cut/fill, bridge requirements at I-70, US 6 improvements).

The objectives of the screening process are to identify the best alternatives in terms cost/benefit in meeting engineering design, and cause the least environmental impacts possible.  Once these alternatives are selected, detailed studies will be conducted to identify impacts and the required mitigation measures to complete the EA.  

Public Participation

As part of the EA process, CDOT wants you to remain informed and to provide comments regarding your insights and concerns about the project. Coordination for this effort will be through CDOT and its consultant, JFSA. Information will be provided through a series of newsletters such as this one, and/or you can e-mail or call to talk to a project representative (shown below). A project website has been established at www.i70-eagle-airport-interchange-ea.com for those interested to remain informed about upcoming public meetings and to e-mail comments. Also, public open houses will be conducted at key points during the process to update you on the status of the project and ask for your comments at those key points.

Public Open House

As the first opportunity to provide comments for the EA process, CDOT hosted an open house on June 7, 2000. FHWA and CDOT continue to solicit comments from federal, state, county, and local agencies and the public that have an interest in the project. The input received from the agencies and public will be important to assist in the analysis of alternatives and associated environment. 

The first public open house was held on June 7, 2000. 
The second public open house is scheduled for spring/early summer 2001.

All future open houses will be announced in project newsletters, local newspapers, on the project website, and notices will be sent to those on the project mailing list.

For More Information

Please contact Michelle Li, the project public involvement manager, with any questions or comments that you may have regarding the Eagle County Airport Interchange EA. Michelle Li's telephone number is (303) 797-1200, Fax is (303) 797-1187, e-mail address is mli@jfsato.com and mailing address is as follows:

J.F. Sato and Associates
5898 South Rapp Street
Littleton, Colorado 80120

Your comments are important to us, we look forward to hearing from you!