Galena, Cooper going one-way

ASPEN ” Starting on Wednesday, motorists will no longer be able to cruise westward and northward around the corner of Cooper Avenue and Galena Street to get from, say, Boogies Diner to The Brand Building in downtown Aspen.

That’s because the city of Aspen is experimenting with making Galena and Cooper one-way, for at least the next two-and-a-half months.

The new orientation will start at East Hopkins Avenue, go southbound around the corner and eastbound along Cooper to South Hunter Street.

Drivers are being advised to “exercise caution and comply with all posted signs,” in the words of Aspen’s parking department.

In a news release issued Monday, the department also noted that as part of the experiment, the Galena Street Shuttle will be rerouted to take Hunter Street for its northbound leg as far as Hopkins Avenue, then jog over to Galena to cross Main Street and go around the Galena Plaza roundabout next to the Pitkin County Library.

“This one-way program was suggested by the Commercial Core and Lodging Commission and approved by Aspen City Council in May,” the city’s news release said. “The experiment creates 20 additional parking spaces and is hoped to slow traffic through this busy area.”

The City Council reportedly will evaluate the program after Labor Day.