Letter: The need is now for an airport interchange

Recently I read there is renewed interest in constructing the Interstate 70 interchange to the Eagle County Regional Airport. 

Longtime Gypsum Mayor Steve Carver agrees there is now a united opinion on the need for the interchange. Along with local traffic, there may be interest in luring a low-cost airline to come into Eagle which would ease the Denver airport congestion would put more traffic on the existing roads. At present commuter traffic, as well as business traffic, has increased and would further increase. Numbers are important. We simply can not support extra traffic on U.S. Highway 6 to the Gypsum exit. Navigating the road and three roundabouts to the Eagle exit would be difficult also.

Just looking at the new building happening in Eagle County — especially downvalley. Do we have the infrastructure and adequate roads to accommodate that many new cars on the road? Not only now, but looking 10 years in the future, we need to look at the numbers.

A possible solution would be a requirement for any new building to put into their building costs a required payment for funding for the proposed interstate construction, as well as roads, bridges, sewer, water, land for grocery and other business needs. The present tax structure cannot support the need for new sewer plants, and water facilities. Where will the water come from? How will the delivery system support such growth? How old are the pipes? Owing to the need for workforce housing, we need to reexamine the percentage of deed-restricted units within each new building complex. 

Corkie Ramey
Gypsum