I-70 through Vail could be a thing of the past

The Town of Vail recently received the results of a study performed by Kracum Resources of Glenwood Springs in regards to reducing noise from I-70 through the Town of Vail.  The study looked at 5 potential options for replacing the current stretch of highway from East Vail to Dowd Junction with 4 various tunnels; or a fifth option called "cut and cover" which would lower the current stretch of highway and place a cap over it.

The estimated price tag on theses options runs from approximately $2.1 billion to $3.5 billion.  All of the plans would require at least six years of studies, and approvals and would take an additional three to six years to complete the construction. 

As a 17 year resident of the Vail Valley and having lived 11 of those in the Town of Vail, I understand the noise issue that is spurring on groups like the Vail Village Home Owners Association to push these plans on Vail, Eagle County and the State of Colorado.  While I understand that the noise is a valid issue and that traffic numbers will increase significantly in the next 25 years; I also believe that this may be a drastic answer to a somewhat minor propblem in the grand scheme of things. Personally I feel that is unconscionable to even consider spending billions of dollars on a project that will only benefit a small percentage of Vail Valley residents directly.  I also feel that there could be significant downsides to bypassing Vail in a tunnel.  Tourists that have never been to Vail or have enjoyed the scenery while passing through, will now get to enjoy nine plus miles of tunnel or buried highway.  How many of our regular visitors "discovered" Vail while passing through? How much money does local business recieve annually from people just passing through?

Two options for helping to pay for the tunnel have been discussed. The first would be to privatize the tunnel and to make it a toll road, the second would be to develop some of the land that the interstate currently uses.  In my opinion, both of these options will only help to limit the accessiblity to Vail that has helped to make it great.  One of Vail’s greatest strengths has always been how easy it is to get to, for everyone.  To change this to become more Aspen-like seems like a mistake of epic proportions. 

Hank@gatewayland.com

Gateway Land and Development (970)926-6777 or (888)278-9601 toll free.

To view all real estate listings in the Vail Valley please visit  www.vailpropertysearch.com

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