Steamboat Today: Outlook grim for funding U.S. 40 improvements

Archive for Sunday, February 24, 2008

A vehicle makes its way through the intersection at 13th Street and U.S. Highway 40 in Steamboat Springs on Saturday afternoon.

By Brandon Gee Sunday, February 24, 2008

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Steamboat Springs — The dismal state of transportation funding in Colorado and nationwide means all the talk about improving U.S. Highway 40 in the west Steamboat Springs area likely will remain just that for the foreseeable future.

Traffic congestion on the main conduit through Steamboat is gathering growing attention from residents and public officials. Various improvements to U.S. 40 have been identified as necessary, and the city is taking part in capacity and access analyses to prepare for them.

But plan all it likes, the city remains largely at the mercy of rapidly shrinking outside sources of funding, experts say.

"The short answer is there isn't any" money, said Routt County Commissioner Diane Mitsch Bush, "and there isn't going to be any for a long time. There's so many other needs."

Mitsch Bush, vice chairwoman of the Colorado Department of Transportation's Northwest Transportation Planning Region, said those needs include projects already under way on Colorado Highway 131 and Colo. 13. When work continues on Colo. 131 this summer, it is expected to cost $2 million a mile.

"That's not a new road," Mitsch Bush said, "and that's not even adding lanes."

At that cost, and with the Northwest Transportation Region - Routt, Moffat, Jackson, Grand and Rio Blanco counties - expected to receive only $23.5 million for highways between now and 2035, progress will be slow not only on projects already in the works, but also on projects such as the U.S. 40 improvements that are waiting in line for state funding.

"Right now, today, there's not a lot of money out there for capacity projects," said David Eller, a Region 3 program engineer for CDOT. "There's a little each year and it's getting harder and harder to come by."

CDOT's priorities also put U.S. 40 enhancements at a disadvantage.

"The state is in a fix-it-first mode," said George Krawzoff, the city's outgoing transportation director and a new member of the Colorado Transportation Commission. "System expansions are highly limited. Getting state funding for something like a lane widening - the only way to describe it is very difficult."

The 'quiet crisis'

The Colorado Transportation Finance and Implementation Panel has described transportation funding as a "quiet crisis." Quiet, Mitsch Bush said, because the financial crisis has received little attention from the public and because it has emerged throughout many years.

"I don't think most people are looking at the road system as on the brink of falling apart," Krawzoff said.

State and federal gas taxes are the primary source of money for transportation. There hasn't been a gas tax increase in Colorado in 17 years, according to a report released last month by Gov. Bill Ritter's transportation panel. The tax is not indexed to inflation, which has averaged 6.4 percent since 1992. Because the tax is based on the number of gallons sold, it also has not benefited from the rising cost of gasoline and is taking a hit as vehicles become more fuel-efficient.

According to Mitsch Bush, the state fuel tax in 1957 was 5.7 cents a gallon. If adjusted for inflation, the tax would have been 39.6 cents a gallon in 2006. Instead, the tax was only 20.3 cents a gallon that year. Mitsch Bush said this doesn't show the entire shortfall, however, as construction costs, especially for road and bridge needs, have risen at a higher rate than inflation overall.

"The gas tax isn't keeping up - not even close," Mitsch Bush said. "What we've got then are coffers that are decreasing dramatically and demands that are increasing dramatically and costs for road construction that are increasing very dramatically."

"The state faces some major problems," Krawzoff added.

One of those problems is a $155 billion funding gap by 2030 if nothing is done, according to the transportation panel's report. While $104 billion of that gap is related to new construction and transportation enhancements, about $51 billion of the gap is related just to the cost of sustaining existing infrastructure. Krawzoff said the state won't be able to meet its goal of keeping 60 percent of roads in good condition for much longer. The transportation panel estimates that more than 70 percent of the state's roadway surfaces will be in poor condition by 2026.

Cautious hope

Philo Shelton, the city's public works director, said there are sources other than CDOT that could help fund U.S. 40 improvements. He anticipates some work could be accomplished with money from the city and county. Some responsibility also could be put on developments such as Steamboat 700, Shelton said.

"There's a lot of tools in the bag," Shelton said. "It just depends on who has the means and the will to put up the funding."

Even with those options, however, Shelton said work would be very limited.

"I guess I could see us doing segments," Shelton said. "I can't see us widening the whole portion of U.S. 40 out to Steamboat II without (CDOT's) help. : Right now, it's very tight funding statewide. For us to get in the line, it's probably going to take a new source of funding from the state level."

The Colorado Transportation Finance and Implementation Panel identified five new sources of funding, which it estimates would generate $1.5 billion, in its January report. Most would require voter approval, including an increase of the gas tax. The transportation panel estimates that a 13-cent-per-gallon increase in the gas tax could generate $351 million. Mitsch Bush said the political will has not yet existed to implement such an increase, a fact not helped by an economy perceived as declining.

"I think at this time, with the economy slowing down, (Ritter is) not looking forward to raising taxes," Shelton said.

Another option - that the panel said could raise $500 million and would not require voter approval - is to add a new, annual, $100 "state highway maintenance fee" to the cost of registering a vehicle. Krawzoff has concerns about this option.

"In the near term, it's possible that the state Legislature wouldn't implement a vehicle registration fee," Krawzoff said. "These fees are always politically sensitive."

Krawzoff also is skeptical that $500 million would be enough to move the state beyond "fix-it-first" operations - and Steamboat would be competing with more populated regions for any new revenues. Krawzoff said improvements needed on Interstate 25 in Denver alone could cost $500 million.

Mitsch Bush said it is crucial for Western Slope officials to remind their Front Range colleagues that roads west of the Continental Divide are important for everyone in the state.

"Northwest Colorado, even though it doesn't have anything close to the population (of the Front Range), is ground zero for energy, tourism and agriculture," Mitsch Bush said. "We have to have a viable multi-modal transportation system both for carrying the goods and the people."

Both Eller and Mitsch Bush said Steamboat is doing the right thing by putting its money and resources into studies looking toward the eventual expansion of U.S. 40. If new money does become available, Eller said, Steamboat's efforts would put the city in a good position to receive a funding boost.

- To reach Brandon Gee, call 871-4210

or e-mail bgee@steamboatpilot.com

MtnWarlock (anonymous) says...

elkeye,
I truly believe you are correct when you say; Steamboat 700 must be held fully responsible for its proposed increase in traffic on U.S. 40, as should any new development that has environmental impact on the area as a whole. a "pillow tax" may be a good suggestion, however I thing the lodging industry will have a major hissy fit about it and so will future guests that stay here!

skitownpuppet,
You are right on the fact that there is a lot of proposed projects that the city has in their planning ideas, to remedy the congestion issues through town. As usual, cash flow for funding is a "major" issue for these ideas. Who to rob to get it, is another battle.

All,
I have been in Steamboat for 25+ years. I have seen a lot of growth and a lot of planning issues over the years. Those who were the early planners of Steamboat, never had any idea nor the foresight to see what we have become today. Planning in Steamboat has been and will always be, a works in progress that's always catching up. I guess we can always hit up the general public with a tax to help subsidize our projects however, you have to ask yourself the question, is the brutal taxation we already suffer enough?
Discipline and consciousness in our daily habits may help remedy a little of our issues on traffic. I believe that is key to the start of solving some of our traffic issues. 25 years ago, Steamboat residents did not have three plus cars per driveway and the Hwy 40, now what I call the (I-40) corridor was only two lanes from I-70 to Salt Lake! Since then, we've widened the roads and made turn out lanes with some resurfacing projects, but that's it! The environment changes dramatically with any development, anywhere. I believe the only ones to benefit are those who sell and leave. As for us who stay and have to contend, its a moral imperative that we plan smart! As for funding, I believe that in the current economy that's been war torn for seven years and is sliding into recession, funding looks bleak at best for the not to distant future.

February 25, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

elkeye (anonymous) says...

Without major U.S. 40 improvements (including a by-pass), the annexation of Steamboat 700 should not even be considered at this time.

"Some responsibility also could be put on developments such as Steamboat 700, Shelton said."

Wrong...without major funding from Steamboat 700 for U.S. 40 improvements the annexation should be rejected if U.S. 40 is at (or near) capacity.

If U.S. 40 is at (or above) capacity, who in their right mind would vote to add any significant traffic to U.S. 40 through the annexation process?

The funds to increase the capacity of U.S. 40 must be identified (and available) before the City of Steamboat Springs allows the annexation of Steamboat 700 (with the density proposed) to move forward.

Without sufficient U.S. 40 traffic capacity to serve Steamboat 700 (with the density proposed), just say NO!

February 24, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

skitownpuppet (anonymous) says...

Hwy 40 traffic and the nightmare surrounding it stems from all kinds of issues. The first and most dramatic is the lack of gravel pits to service the community on the S end of town. Dakota Ridge and the folks who live there are opposed to the unearthing of materials for public benefit. The county commissioners will not grant the permits for the pits and therefore all truck traffic has to go directly through town. Not good, especially when you are trying to grind on some tasty food and drink on the sidewalks of downtown.
Traffic lights- The fact that we have traffic lights does not help the situation especially at 129 and 40. It also doesn't help that we have 4 lanes that only allow for two lanes of use for no purpose from this intersection to town where the real problem or "bottleneck" exists. Roundabout would be a great idea or any infrastructure besides one light. Will the affordable housing project on that corner help? How about the office building going up by the vet clinic? Tons of factors involved.
The growth of Hayden as a bed base is only going to compound the issue in the exact way the 700 project will. To to place the blame or to put the issue on the 700 is unfair.
Unfortunately, traffic is getting worse in all areas of town and until the City decides to provide a plan that is "comprehensive" I am not sure any one factor is to blame nor is one particular developement. Ask anyone in town where the traffic issue is and it will depend on where they live. Almost everyone has an issue with lights, intersections and bottlenecks somewhere in the City of Steamboat. Another great example is the Post Office in town. We are experiencing the ripple effect of all aspects of growth whether it stems from Hayden and Craig, downtown, ski mountain base area or the proposed 700. Comprehensive plans solve issues and promote critical thinking. I hate to say it but I think the affordable housing issue has taken almost all the steam out of where our focus needs to be for the long term viability of Steamboat. What ever happened to downtown parking, traffic, enhanced bike paths, extending the core trail to the West, ski base area pedestrian plan and infrastructure, etc, etc. Enhancing the community in which we live is the most important and critical issue facing Steamboat. Hwy 40 is and will be an issue no matter what happens to the County, no matter what the density on any piece of land.
We should provide solutions instead of pointing the finger because everyoine is to blame as long as we drive our cars and commute into town.

February 24, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

elkeye (anonymous) says...

Steamboat 700 must be held fully responsible for its proposed increase in traffic on U.S. 40!

Without an increase in U.S. 40 traffic capacity sufficient to serve Steamboat 700 (with the density proposed), there is no basis on which to approve the proposed annexation.

Steamboat 700 is not only responsible for the total cost of improvements to U.S 40 associated with its increase in traffic, Steamboat 700 is fully responsible for all other costs associated with infrastructure improvements (including those to the water and waster water treatment plants) which will result from the proposed annexation.

Steamboat 700, not "we" (the residents of Steamboat Springs), should be providing the solutions (and the $$$) to fund the improvements required because of their proposed annexation.

February 24, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

colowoodsman (anonymous) says...

If Steamboat wants to annex Steamboat 700 make the city and the develpoer pay for the improvements to Hwy. 40. If need be start a 'pillow tax'. This would solve a lot of problems all at once. It would cut back the number of tourists polluting the valley and free up existing housing for local workers thereby creating less demand for housing west of town. Tourism has been getting a 'free ride' for way too long and it's about time they started paying their own way!!!

February 24, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

skitownpuppet (anonymous) says...

Elk Eye- You must be lonely out there in Sleepy Bear. Think happy thoughts and remember, when your sitting in traffic trying to get to town every day that my kids are drifting by you on their way to the sewer plant.

February 25, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )