Siegel: The number 1 problem is congestion
The takeaway from the recent Aspen City Council/Board of County Commissioners meeting is that the city has no interest in considering a comprehensive solution to the pressing issue of traffic congestion. It will not even consider future negative impacts of its own making — that is, the Lumberyard with 400+ cars and a new traffic signal on Hwy 82.
This narrow-minded approach does not benefit anyone. By seeking re-evaluation (which should fail) of the nearly 30-year-old Record of Decision (ROD), the city excludes contributors to traffic outside its review zone. This arrogant, incremental mindset blindly assumes that its showcase future bridge coupled with more bus riders will be the elixir to traffic.
Sorry, the scheme is already doomed.
The city’s cure for all ills is to get people out of their cars and onto buses. But RFTA is operating at capacity and has no plans to expand service. Will people abandon their cars to wait at bus stops? Also, what will not work is the impossibly expensive and probably never built bus-preferred Straight Shot. It is well documented that such an “Entrance to Aspen” with the same two general purpose lanes and a new stop light would increase congestion. And of course, adding a parking lot for 400+ cars and a new traffic light on Hwy 82 is no way to reduce congestion.
A course correction is required if local government wants to get serious about traffic. As suggested by Jacobs Engineering several years ago, any comprehensive evaluation should consider the entire corridor from Brush Creek to Rubey Park. It must consider not only known pinch points, but also future ones coming to fruition. We are at a juncture point and pressure is needed or the opportunity is lost. Strong pushback to the city is required when public engagement starts in March. We are all stakeholders, and complacency will not get the job done.
The city needs to be sent back to the drawing board for a new environmental impact statement with marching orders that the number 1 problem is congestion.
Neil Siegel
Aspen
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