Asphalt doesn’t solve congestion — mass transit and community commitment does.
Pete Rice, former Entrance to Aspen manager, told our Regional Transportation Board (RFTA) that the largest drop in cars using the Castle Creek Bridge occurred with launch of the valley-wide Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
Terry Paulson’s recent letter fails to mention that a replacement 3-lane Castle Creek Bridge leaves mass transit entering Aspen in a single general traffic lane; degrading the timeliness, cost efficiency and rider experience of the system that moves thousands of people in and out of Aspen every day without cars.
And that the 3-lane concept doesn’t provide a second wildfire emergency evacuation route out of Aspen or reduce the endless “cut-through” traffic in the West End.
Roaring Fork residents pay property and sales taxes for RFTA (the second largest people-mover in Colorado) to manage traffic growth and congestion in their towns too, by offering mobility options to residents, guests, and a commuting workforce. Reliance on RFTA has kept Aspen and Colorado Highway 82 congestion somewhat at bay, now it’s time for an upgrade.
Certainly, greater Traffic Demand Management (TDMs) tools are needed to maintain Aspen’s Mountain Town Character, clean air, and pedestrian orientation. The extensive Aspen Institute Mobility Study detailed steps like developing a ride-share app, and encouraging carpooling by enforcing the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, guaranteeing rapid, reliable, frequent service to the Brush Creek Park n’ Ride, and improving trail accesses to make it easier to travel without a car for every trip.
Ignoring the daily dysfunction of Aspen’s entrance, valley growth and our commuting workforce making the Marolt a sacred cow, and kicking the can down the road isn’t the answer-strong leadership on the city council, community commitment to move forward, and modern programs and infrastructure that supports enhanced mass transit are needed.
Rachael Richards
Aspen
The company, founded in Woody Creek in 2019, creates transportable solar stations that charge electric bikes, vehicles, and provide a charge for electric appliances using solar energy rather than the electric grid.