Date: 09/25/2015
Final
Public Comment and Committee Discussion
TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
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01:55 PM -- Public Comment and Committee Discussion
Glen Davis, Montrose County Commissioner, came to the table and presented to the committee on the economic problems of the region, focusing on lost jobs in the coal and dairy industries. He said the area is losing its younger population to jobs in the Front Range, and that this demographic is being replaced by older citizens. He discussed the safety issues of the commute from Montrose to Telluride, including wildlife deaths and road accidents, especially during the winter.
Commissioner Davis said that he is not opposed to overpasses for pedestrians and wildlife, but that the stretch of highway from Montrose to Ridgway and on to Telluride is in serious need of development to accommodate the traffic flow of seasonal tourism industry workers. He asked the committee to consider prioritizing this highway for state funding. Committee discussion ensued on the TPR process and state funding options for transportation infrastructure development.
Commissioner Davis discussed the development of a regional trail system from Montrose to Moab, Utah, in partnership with regional counties, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service. He spoke to current funding and prioritization of statewide transportation projects.
02:13 PM
Art Goodtimes, San Miguel County Commissioner, addressed the committee, speaking to the intended development of a Regional Transportation Authority in San Miguel County, the need to address the repeal of the authority in 2019, the criticality of infrastructure in the area, and difficulties faced by municipalities and counties within the TPR process. Mr. Goodtimes responded to questions on the loss of commercial status for the Telluride airport.
02:20 PM
Doug Atchley, Delta County Commissioner, came to the table and discussed the importance of transportation infrastructure to Delta County’s economy, economic drivers in the area, the loss of coal mining jobs in Delta County, the funding priorities of the Gunnison Valley TPR, and Delta County’s regional transportation issues. Committee discussion ensued with Commissioner Atchley on the need for east to west transportation infrastructure in the state.
02:30 PM
The committee adjourned.