Stone Lane Bridge & Complete Street Connection

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-May 17, 2024-The City of Steamboat Springs has contracted with Theorem Design Group to perform engineering design and public engagement for the initial phase of the Stone Lane Bridge & Complete Street Connection project.

The project would extend Stone Lane from east of Walton Creek to US Highway 40 (US40) by constructing a new bridge and improving Stone Lane from US40 to Whistler Road, including stormwater facilities, utilities, bike lanes, streetscape features and sidewalks.

The project looks to reduce congestion on Walton Creek Rd and improve regional traffic flow; increase infrastructure resiliency with additional access and egress points; and allows for better emergency response service. In addition, prioritizing safe pedestrian, bike and transit features in the design will improve community connectivity and mobility.

“This is simply the first step in a shared journey to bring key infrastructure improvements to the community,” said City Engineer Matt Phillips. “As the country has witnessed, efficient travel routes are something that need to be in place well before needed, especially during emergencies like a wildfire.”

As part of the early outreach period, the project team is contacting homeowners within the project limits to request property access to perform archaeological, historic, environmental, topographical, geotechnical, and utility survey fieldwork. Impacted residents on Stone Lane and within the Walton Creek floodplain will receive letters from the city formally requesting permission to enter properties to complete this survey work.

The project dates back to 1979, when a bridge was first suggested to connect Stone Lane between US40 and Whistler Road. The replat of Walton Creek Park Estates in the same year included provisions for the future connection. Various planning documents, including neighborhood plats and the 1996 Whistler Area Transportation Study, emphasized the importance of extending Stone Lane.

Over the decades, these planning efforts have involved numerous city council approvals, community and committee meetings, and various city engineers and staff. The city’s Transportation & Mobility Plan, published in 2021, reaffirmed the need for emergency egress and travel improvements at this location.

Throughout the design process, the community will have opportunities to share input. Those interested in staying informed can subscribe at engagesteamboat.net/stone-lane-bridge to receive project information and stay up to date on engagement opportunities.

The City of Steamboat Springs has contracted with Theorem Design Group, and their team to perform archaeological, historic, biological/environmental, topographical, geotechnical, and utility survey field work to support the design phase of the Stone Lane Bridge & Complete Street Connection project. Per Routt County Assessor’s Office records, properties located within the limits of the area need to be surveyed or have additional data collected. The City of Steamboat Springs is formally requesting permission to enter these properties.

We understand property owners may have questions regarding the project and this request for access. Accordingly, the city has reserved times for owners to meet individually with the project team to discuss concerns and ask questions. Half-hour meetings may be scheduled with the city between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM on Tuesday May 28 through Thursday May 30 and Tuesday June 4 through Thursday June 6.

Reservations can be made at: bit.ly/stonelaneproject or by calling and scheduling a time with the city’s consultant project manager. The consultant project manager for this project is Matt Gilbert at Theorem Design Group and he can be reached via email at matt.gilbert@theoremdesigngroup.com or by phone at 303.520.6788. These meetings may be held in person or virtually at your request and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. If requested, in-person meetings will be held at the following:

• May 28, 29, & 30 and June 4 & 5: Planning Conference Room, 124 10^th Street, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
• June 6: PD Community Room, 2027 Shield Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

If you have questions or concerns with this request, please contact Bjorn Utu, PE at butu@steamboatsprings.net or at 970.871.8273 or alternatively Matt Gilbert as noted above.

Copy of the Door Hanger:

Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection Project FAQ

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What is the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project?

The Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project is a proposed infrastructure improvement project that will construct a bridge over Walton Creek to connect the two existing dead-end segments of Stone Lane, thus providing a link from U.S. Highway 40 to Chinook Lane and Whistler Road. The project will also include multi-modal improvements along the Stone Lane corridor from U.S Highway 40 to Whistler Road and will improve drainage infrastructure.

Why is the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project being considered?

Constructing the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection will provide alternate ingress and egress options to the Whistler Area on the south side of Walton Creek Road. Additional ingress/egress options in this area will increase disaster preparedness by having multiple routes for emergency services and evacuations. The completed connection will also relieve some of the traffic and congestion on Walton Creek Road and the Walton Creek Road intersections. This improved circulation will likely alleviate the need for additional intersection improvement projects along Walton Creek Road.

How long has the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project been part of the city’s transportation plans?

The earliest known written reference to a future bridge at this location came in 1979. The replat of Walton Creek Park Estates, created in 1979, specifically included at the Stone Lane cul-de-sac, a temporary easement that would be removed upon the Stone Lane connection between U.S. Highway 40 and Whistler Road. Various other plats throughout the years also reference it. The buildout scenario with the Stone Lane extension was highlighted again in the 1996 Whistler Area Transportation Study and again in the 2021 Transportation & Mobility Plan.

Is the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Steet Connection project being built to support hotel development?

No, the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project is independent of recent hotel development. Regardless of hotels being built, the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project is viewed as necessary for emergency preparedness, improved vehicular circulation, and decreased congestion.

Is the Holiday Inn Express Development (PL20230056) funding some of the project?

The Holiday Inn Express Development is required to contribute 4.9% of the funding to this project. Most developments within the city are required to contribute money towards offsite infrastructure improvements, and the Holiday Inn Express is no exception. The Holiday Inn Express is being required to contribute $13,019 towards a future traffic signal at U.S. Highway 40 and Stone Lane, as well as $260,600 towards the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project.

What are development contributions?

Development contributions are funds that a developer pays to the city as part of their project to help mitigate negative infrastructure impacts caused by the development. Required improvements may include intersection enhancements, additional right-of-way, street surface widening, shouldering, drainage, grading, tree removal, sidewalks, bike lanes and other improvements necessary to offset or mitigate the anticipated traffic impacts of the development.

What do the current traffic studies tell us about the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project?

A recent traffic study performed in 2021 as part of the City of Steamboat Springs Transportation & Mobility Plan looked at the city in its entirety. Additionally, traffic studies were performed in conjunction with the proposed hotel development. The following items can be noted related to the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project:

• Only 8.7% of traffic on the conceptual Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection would come from the two new hotel developments; most of the traffic would be generated by existing Whistler Area roadway users.
• The Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection would likely reduce traffic and congestion on adjacent roadways, including Walton Creek Road.

What is the status of the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project?

Funding for the conceptual design portion of the project has been approved and the city is currently in the selection process for a design consultant. Construction of the project is not currently funded.

What does the design portion of the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project include?

The following elements will be included as part of the design process:

• A conceptual plan of the bridge and complete street section.
• Public outreach, including adjacent homeowner coordination, open houses, public engagement website, informational materials, etc.
• A robust traffic study specific to the Stone Lane bridge connection to understand how traffic volumes and traffic patterns would change if the bridge were constructed.
• A hydraulic and hydrologic evaluation of Walton Creek and the surrounding drainage areas to help inform bridge structure selection and to ensure flood impacts are understood and accounted for.

What other improvements could residents expect on the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project?

In addition to the road extension and bridge over Walton Creek, and dependent upon site constraints and public input, the project may include:

• Stormwater and utility improvements
• Bike lanes
• Streetscape features/landscaping
• Sidewalks (connecting the existing Walton Creek Trail from U.S. Highway 40 to Whistler Road)

What is the proposed timeline of the project?

Below is a breakdown of the project timeline. Other than the selection of a design consultant, none of the dates are fixed, as they will depend on numerous factors, including project funding.

• September 2023 – Selection of Design Consultant
• October 2023 – Design Process Begins
• TBD – Community Engagement
• TBD – Conceptual Design
• TBD (Fall 2024) – Design Completion
• TBD (Summer 2025) – Construction Begin