Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Wells Fargo Bank officials hope to solve several problems with the completion of a construction project under way in the alley behind its downtown Steamboat Springs location.

When the project is completed Oct. 7, bank patrons will have access to a drive-up ATM, a winter icing problem in the alley should be solved, and the one-lane entrance and exit to the alley from Fourth Street will be wider.

Bank President Jill Leary said the bank owns the block bounded by Lincoln Avenue and Third, Oak and Fourth streets. In addition to the bank building and the city alley, the block encompasses two parking lots that have been available to the public.

The construction will block access to Wells Fargo's drive-up lanes from Tuesday to Thursday, Leary said. When the lanes reopen, bank customers will be greeted with new equipment, including an electronic sign at the Third Street entrance that indicates which lanes are open.

The parking lot adjacent to Third Street will be repaved, and a drainage system will be installed in the alley to eliminate an icing problem.

Leary said the Fourth Street entrance to the alley is popular among motorists who want to use the parking lot and avoid the congestion on Third Street. However, the inability for two cars to pass clogs traffic. The construction project will make it possible for cars to enter and leave the alley simultaneously.

Leary said the upgraded drive-up lanes will allow people to use the ATM 24 hours a day and eliminate the need to get out of their cars in inclement weather.