Vail Pass Rest Area replacement project begins virtual public engagement
Community invited to submit comments
The Interstate 70 Vail Pass Rest Area serves a growing number of motorists, commercial operators, recreationalists and local travelers throughout the year. After years of heavy use, the Vail Pass Rest Area facility is inadequate and no longer meets the needs of its users, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
CDOT is in the design phase of the Vail Pass Rest Area replacement project. The purpose of the project is to increase restroom user capacity, update the existing drinking water treatment system, increase parking capacity for all users, improve traffic circulation, accessibility and safety. Improvements will include better connectivity with nearby popular recreation opportunities.
CDOT is asking the public to view and submit feedback on the proposed alternatives and review process.
How to submit
What: Virtual public engagement period gathering feedback and questions. A PDF presentation of the proposed alternatives and review process of the Vail Pass Rest Area replacement project is available for viewing. Comments and questions can be submitted via survey. Additional options for submitting feedback are detailed below.
When: Comments will be received until Saturday, Feb. 20.
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Where: Virtual public engagement page on the Vail Pass replacement rest area website at http://www.codot.gov/projects/.
Due to current limitations on public events during the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), CDOT is providing virtual opportunities for public engagement. Information about this study is shared and updated on the Vail Pass Rest Area replacement project website. Virtual public engagement includes, but is not exclusive to, the following process:
- Press release announcement for local media
- Direct mail to adjacent property owners
- Emails to project stakeholders
- Public notification on CDOT’s Facebook and Twitter pages
All methods of communication will alert the public and stakeholders to the opportunity to review the replacement project and how to submit feedback. CDOT will document, record and review comments. Comments will be considered in the final design. CDOT encourages public input on all projects. In addition to the survey, feedback can be submitted by email and phone to team representative Hope Wright at hope.wright@state.co.us and 720-237-6173. Members of the public without internet access can request a copy of the presentation by calling 720-237-6173.
About the project
Rest areas are an important asset to the traveling public and have a direct impact on the economic vitality of the state. At the direction of the Colorado Transportation Commission, a statewide rest area study was completed in 2016 to establish a framework to assess and identify rest areas that were in need of improvements. In January 2019, the rest areas were assigned a letter grade based on a set of criteria and the Vail Pass Rest Area was determined to need significant repair.
For more information, visit http://www.codot.gov/projects/vailpassrestareastudy.
