by Lane Roberts

Chances are, most Castle Pines North residents struggle their way through the Lincoln Avenue and I-25 interchange sometime during their day. Construction on the Ridgegate interchange will help minimize congestion at Lincoln, but will not be complete until late 2008 or in 2009.

Douglas County and the City of Lone Tree have teamed up to search for solutions to the traffic congestion at the major artery. Lincoln Avenue at I-25 serves as the primary thoroughfare for Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, and Parker.

The project was initiated to develop a congestion mitigation plan and to evaluate possible improvements. Both short-term and long-term improvements have been established.

The findings of the Lincoln Avenue/I-25 Congestion Mitigation and Feasibility Study were presented on September 20 at a public open house held in Lone Tree. Here are the most recent statistics on Lincoln Avenue at I-25:

EACH DAY -

61,500 vehicles travel on Lincoln Ave., east of I-25.

37,500 vehicles travel on Lincoln Ave., west of I-25.

I-25 carries 92,700 vehicles south of Lincoln Ave.and 106,800 vehicles north of Lincoln Ave.

During peak afternoon hours, 2,560 vehicles exit the southbound I-25 off-ramp at Lincoln Ave. And, 3,270 vehicles enter the northbound I-25 on-ramp - almost one vehicle per second.

To learn more about this project, contact Douglas County at 303-660-7490.