Problem Statement (50Kb Adobe Acrobat Document)
Vison (38Kb Adobe Acrobat Document)
Study Process Flow Chart (120Kb Adobe Acrobat Document)
Summary of Concerns (256Kb Adobe Acrobat Document)
Summary of Input (268Kb Adobe Acrobat Document)
Ideas Level 1 (398Kb Adobe Acrobat Document)
Concepts Level 2 (113Kb Adobe Acrobat Document)
Level 3 Corridor (2,773Kb Adobe Acrobat Document)
Level 3 Interchanges (102Kb Adobe Acrobat Document)

The Previous Studies

New Pueblo Freeway Project (2000-2002)

During the summer of 2000, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) kicked off the New Pueblo Freeway Project with the goal of addressing the deteriorating roadway and bridges along I-25 through Pueblo. This initial phase of the project included an extensive public process. This public process created an understanding of the project issues and concerns, analyzed potential solutions (alternatives), and ultimately presented a recommended alternative.

A similar involvement effort happened for the next stage of the project, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. The EIS process is examining the environmental issues of three alternatives, including the recommended alternative developed over the past two years.

The information below provides the background and overview for the phase of the New Pueblo Freeway Project from 2000 through 2002. This information is included to provide the important history, decisions, and public process that have propelled the project forward to the current EIS stage.

Project Background and Overview

The first contract to build the Pueblo Freeway, now designated as I-25, was awarded in 1949. It took 10 years for the freeway to be completed through Pueblo. Now, 47 years later there is a need to study and redesign the freeway to fit current and future demands. CDOT sponsored this study and redesign. The project is now in the environmental stage.

One of CDOT's goals for this project was to develop a plan that respected the traditions and trends of the Pueblo community. To reach this goal CDOT conducted a process that included a community voice through leadership teams and an open community process. CDOT formed a team consisting of representatives from the city, county, and community to explore the roles I-25 currently plays in the community and what roles I-25 should play in the community's future.

This team began with a Workshop to define the context of I-25 in the community and to capture the concerns, goals, and criteria by which solutions could be developed. Alternatives were then developed and analyzed through a series of screening efforts. Starting with a brainstorming exercise and carefully analyzing, screening, and refining alternatives to create the ideal recommendations for the I-25 corridor through Pueblo.

This effort culminated into a recommended action plan now continuing foward through environmental clearances and design once funding sources are identified. This was and will continue to be accomplished through a decision-making process that follows these 5 steps: Project Planning and Endorsement; Concerns and Criteria Development; Alternatives Development; Alternatives Analysis; Recommendation.

Communication, Leadership, and Support

The primary role of Stakeholders has been to provide vital local information, goals, and values. Stakeholders have been meeting in various formats. Each of these offer an opportunity for stakeholders to interact with project teams to affect the recommendation. Stakeholders are expected to share project information with their neighbors or groups they represent to gather feedback for the project. Community Leadership and Support is an ongoing process of group and individual meetings with community leaders to maintain a flow of information. A two-way communication first to the community about the project progress and then input from the community to the project. This communication has been facilitated by the inclusion of community leaders on the Project Leadership Team.

Community Working Group

Work sessions were held to bring stakeholders together to discover their common goals and priorities relating to transportation issues along I-25 through Pueblo. Each Community Working Group (CWG) meeting was conducted in a facilitated, yet informal small group. The groups met bimonthly to work through the 5 step decision-making process; brainstorming ideas and screening criteria to arrive at a recommendation for improvements to I-25 through Pueblo.

Why Does I-25 Need a ‘Good Look’?

13th Street Close to river and railroad; Drainage problems; April '99 storm impacted the railroad	1st Street Steep ramps; Insufficient merge length; Aging bridge; Landscaping opportunity; Main entrance to downtown; Drainage problems
Ilex High-accident location; Main access to Runyon complex; Key commercial access; Drainage problems	Arkansas River Crossing Narrow roadway; Environmental concerns
Abriendo I-25 creates a barrier between neighborhoods; Narrow roadway; Aesthetic opportunity (view of downtown); Gateway to Abriendo area; Water quality concerns in this area; Close proximity to railroad; Lack of pedestrian facilities	Mesa, Northern, Central Tight curves and narrow roads; Aging bridges; Drainage problems; Confusing street names
Indiana Uncommon, 3-street interchange; Driver expectations: Speed change, Neighborhood access, Shared frontage road ramp; No pedestrian facilities; Homes close to I-25; Noise levels; Main entrance to steel mill	Illinois Off-ramp directly into neighborhood
Pueblo Boulevard Significant "loop" road Southside development increasing	Stem Beach Development increasing; Limited sight distance; Drainage problems