Arvada Issues:

The beltway has been on Arvada’s transportation plan since 1964.

Arvada is wedged between major highways, I-70 on the south; I-25 on the east and E-470 on the north. Arvada is also wedged between mature metro-Denver and fast growing suburbs and counties to the north. Currently, north-south traffic through Arvada uses Wadsworth and Sheridan Boulevards in the eastern part of the city and Indiana Street and Colorado Highway 93 in the far western edge of the city.

Arvada wants to provide a north-south segment of Interstate quality roadway connecting E-470 (The Northwest Parkway) on its northeast with C-470 on its southwest. The would relieve Arvada streets of a significant and growing regional traffic load connecting the growing populations of Weld, Larimer, Boulder and Broomfield counties with points south and west.

The Jefferson Parkway would traverse primarily open space on the western edge of Arvada. There would be little, and limited, additional development as most of the western part of Arvada is already designated as Open Space.

Golden Issues:

Golden Transportation Plan has included provision for an expressway replacing Colorado Highway 93 in Golden since 1983. In ____ , Golden obtained support from Arvada and other cities in its application for CDOT funds to relocate portions of CH 93 and construct a new C-470 interchange at 6th Avenue, as preliminary to extension and completion of  “470 Beltway”. Golden also secured CDOT funding to relocate CH 93 away from Washington Street through downtown Golden with the intent of removing regional traffic away from the center of the city on the future beltway.

Golden has recognized the 470 extension as an important element in its economic development. Its 1983 Plan recommended that SH 93 bypass be “ . . rigorously pursued in a cooperative effort with private developers and the Colorado Department of Highways.” Its 1992 Plan endorsed the 1983 road network, including a beltway along CH 93 to C-470 and  a 300 foot of right of way was reserved along the CH 93 alignment.

Since then Golden has permitted new residential development west of CH 93 north of Golden and has begun to oppose its former plans for a beltway on that route.

Options:

In 1992, Arvada, Broomfield and  Westminster joined to form the Jefferson Parkway Non-Profit for the purpose of developing the beltway through the sale of toll-bonds. CDOT asked to intervene and coordinate the planning and supervision of the beltway. CDOT has conducted the necessary Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). If CDOT were to withdraw from the project due to political pressure, The Jefferson Parkway Non-Profit could resume its role in completing the portion of beltway from the Northwest Parkway to the Golden city limit.

Current Planning

• Northwest Quadrant Study – no beltway needed up to the design horizon of 2015.
• Northwest Corridor Study  - Underway with DEIS published September 2006.

Conclusions:

• Completion of the 470 beltway has been a part of regional planning efforts for over 40 years.
• Golden endorsed beltway completion and prepared for it with the SH 93 realignment.
• Public input has been extensive with over one dozen public meetings, numerous public design meetings, and several means to communicate with the study team.
• The beltway is needed to relieve regional pressure on Arvada’s local streets.
• Metro-Denver needs a completed beltway to connect all of its residents with employment, education and social resources.