Still No Guarantee of $16 Million Grant Approval

RIDGWAY – While Ouray County waits to see if it has been awarded close to $16 million in federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funds to pave and improve County Road 1 between Colorado Hwy. 62 and Colona on Log Hill Mesa, issues surrounding the proposed road improvements have already divided the community between those who want to keep the rural, dirt road character of the mesa and those who believe the road, in its current state, is dangerous and costly.

Approximately 80 residents attended a Nov. 12 forum in Ridgway that was put on by the Ouray County Commissioners to inform members of the public about the grant application and the details of the proposed road improvement project. Because of a short window to actually prepare and submit the application for the federal grant, the commissioners approved the application on Sept. 14 without a large amount of public outreach on the project. The forum on Nov. 12 was intended to not only inform the public about the project but also to receive feedback from the public regarding their proposal.

The county is seeking $15,952,175 to repair and pave CR 1 and a portion of County Roads 24 and 24D. The project includes the removal of existing chip seal, the placement of new asphalt, improvements to the intersection of CR 24D and Hwy. 62, as well as improvements to the intersection of U.S. Highway 550 and CR1 in Colona. Approximately one-third of Ouray County’s population in unincorporated areas use the road, which makes it the most highly used Ouray County road.

Russell Engineering’s Bill Frownfelter said the numerous potholes on CR1 are caused by poor drainage and drain pans would have to be installed on both sides of the road in some areas to keep the subgrade from becoming saturated with water. He also said there are a lot of curves and intersections along the road that could be improved to make the road’s sight distances safer.

Frownfelter went on to say that the county currently uses fly ash in the winter months for de-icing purposes and that if the road were to be paved, the county would switch to magnesium chloride in the winter. Conversely, during the summer months, the county would no longer need to use magnesium chloride for dust control if the road was paved, he said.

“The dust is horrible up there,” Frownfelter said. “It’s not good for anybody.”

While little can be done to improve the steep and curvy section of CR1 down the escarpment from Log Hill Mesa on its southern edge, Frownfelter said improvements to the sinking guardrails and deteriorating asphalt will make that section safer as well.

After Frownfelter presented the engineering details of the project, the commissioners opened the forum up for public comment. Judging from those who spoke, those in favor of paving the road and those against it were fairly equal.

“I want to commend the BOCC for seeking the grant,” said John Peters, a Log Hill Mesa resident. “This is an overly time sensitive project that has to be dealt with now. It is a dangerous road. As time goes on, it will continue to disintegrate.”

Ouray attorney Andy Mueller, representing landowners on Log Hill Mesa, said they are very interested in the county pursuing the grant and supportive of the road project. Addressing concerns by several residents that paving the road will increase the speeds of traffic on the road, Mueller said that speed is an enforcement issue that the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office can address. “Speeding on washboards is a hell of a lot more dangerous than on a paved road,” Mueller said.

Also in favor of the road improvements is the Log Hill Fire Protection District Board of Directors, whose representative said the improvements are needed for faster emergency response time, safer road conditions, and a better wildfire evacuation route.

But some residents living on the mesa see the road improvements as creating a viable alternative route for commuters traveling between Montrose and San Miguel counties, which is not necessary something they want.

Indeed, it is stated in the grant application that the improvement would make the road an alternative route between Hwy. 62 and Colona.

“To pave or not to pave, that is not the issue,” said resident Judy Darwick. “The issue is first for us to consider what we need to do to keep County Road 1 safe and accessible for us as locals. I don’t think we need to position ourselves as an alternative commuter road.”

Several other residents expressed concern that paving the road would take away the rural feel of the area – something they moved there for.

No Ridgway business owners at Thursday’s forum spoke out in favor of or against the proposed project.

While the debate continues on whether to pave or not to pave CR 1 with TIGER funds, all could be moot if the county does not receive the grant. A decision is expected to be made no later than February 2010.

“It goes without saying that getting this grant is a long shot,” Commissioner Heidi Albritton said. “From our point of view, it is our obligation to protect the county’s assets and this is one possible way to solve one of our capitol issues.”

The presentation from the Nov. 12 forum will be posted on the county’s website at www.ouraycountyco.gov.