Print
E-mail
Comment
Community split on moving tracks
Getting the federal government to contribute to the cost of relocating the railroad in Castle Rock was described as an "uphill battle, before Sept. 11 and nearly impossible now" by Castle Rock Assistant Town Manager Fritz Sprague at the Thursday Castle Rock Town Council meeting.
By By: Susan Dage-Ruby
Getting the federal government to contribute to the cost of relocating the railroad in Castle Rock was described as an "uphill battle, before Sept. 11 and nearly impossible now" by Castle Rock Assistant Town Manager Fritz Sprague at the Thursday Castle Rock Town Council meeting.
Sprague presented the community's response to the possibility of moving the Union Pacific tracks from downtown Castle Rock and running them parallel to the Burlington Northern tracks on the west side of town.
"Clearly Castle Rock residents are split on this issue," Sprague said.
Earlier this summer the town conducted three community meetings: one for Founders Village and the Woodlands; one for The Meadows and Red Hawk; and one for the downtown area. The town received 108 comments from people on the project, he said, and 38 were in favor and 70 were against.
"Support for the project was generally conditional," Sprague said. "Residents who did favor the project had questions regarding the project. Those in opposition usually stated specific reasons for their opposition."
A statistically valid telephone survey asked 561 residents a series of questions designed to assess resident thoughts on relocating the railroad, Sprague said.
"There was a significant geographical split between residents on the west side who didn't favor the project and residents on the east side and downtown who do," Sprague said.
Among westside residents, 47 percent opposed the move while 43 percent supported it. On the east side, 62 percent favored moving the railroad and 28 percent opposed it.
Although clearly split, Sprague said most residents do not see moving the railroad as a priority.
While the Douglas Board of County Commissioners doesn't object to moving the railroad, the board said other projects could be considered higher priorities, Sprague said.
The town staff presented four alternatives to the council for consideration: do nothing, place the project on hold, proceed with the next steps of relocation, or study other railroad noise-mitigation and safety measures.
"I think we should continue to study other alternatives," said Bill Shaneyfelt, District 2 councilman.
Because the presentation was information session only, the council made no decisions about which alternative it will pursue.
"We will deliberate on this and come back at a later council meeting to decide," said Mayor Herb Teets.
The town manager agreed.
Sprague presented the community's response to the possibility of moving the Union Pacific tracks from downtown Castle Rock and running them parallel to the Burlington Northern tracks on the west side of town.
"Clearly Castle Rock residents are split on this issue," Sprague said.
Earlier this summer the town conducted three community meetings: one for Founders Village and the Woodlands; one for The Meadows and Red Hawk; and one for the downtown area. The town received 108 comments from people on the project, he said, and 38 were in favor and 70 were against.
"Support for the project was generally conditional," Sprague said. "Residents who did favor the project had questions regarding the project. Those in opposition usually stated specific reasons for their opposition."
A statistically valid telephone survey asked 561 residents a series of questions designed to assess resident thoughts on relocating the railroad, Sprague said.
"There was a significant geographical split between residents on the west side who didn't favor the project and residents on the east side and downtown who do," Sprague said.
Among westside residents, 47 percent opposed the move while 43 percent supported it. On the east side, 62 percent favored moving the railroad and 28 percent opposed it.
Although clearly split, Sprague said most residents do not see moving the railroad as a priority.
While the Douglas Board of County Commissioners doesn't object to moving the railroad, the board said other projects could be considered higher priorities, Sprague said.
The town staff presented four alternatives to the council for consideration: do nothing, place the project on hold, proceed with the next steps of relocation, or study other railroad noise-mitigation and safety measures.
"I think we should continue to study other alternatives," said Bill Shaneyfelt, District 2 councilman.
Because the presentation was information session only, the council made no decisions about which alternative it will pursue.
"We will deliberate on this and come back at a later council meeting to decide," said Mayor Herb Teets.
The town manager agreed.
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. |
