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Steamboat Springs — Consultants are introducing a study today that will identify a preferred alternative for improving U.S. Highway 40 in west Steamboat Springs.

The study will determine current and future transportation needs on the highway, from 12th Street to the western edge of the city's urban growth boundary near the Steamboat Golf Club. The western boundary is outside city limits but within areas being considered for annexation. The study will address alternatives to meet transportation needs, while studying the effects of the alternatives on environmental resources. Because U.S. 40 is part of the federal highway system, the study is required under the National Environmental Protection Act.

Alternatives are expected to promote alternative modes of travel as outlined in the city and county's joint West of Steamboat Springs Area Plan and to incorporate an access management plan developed for the same stretch of the highway and adopted by city and county officials last year.

The project is scheduled to conclude in October. California-based Jacobs Engineering plans to identify a preferred alternative by April that could include recommendations of traffic signals, bike mobility improvements, alignment alternatives and high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

"There's lots of pieces that can be mixed and matched," Laura Anderson, project manager for the city, told the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association's transportation solutions group at a recent meeting.

The study is sponsored by the city, Routt County, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Jacobs Engineering is conducting the study. The open house, the first of three, is expected to cover topics including the history of the proposed project, the purpose and need of the proposed project, anticipated issues on the project and potential improvements along U.S. 40.