Boulder County holds virtual meeting on Hwy. 287 transportation planning

Last fall, Boulder County kicked off its planning process for the future of Highway 287 with an extensive feasibility study focusing on bus rapid transit, or BRT. As part of that effort, on April 14, officials held the second in a series of transportation-focused virtual public meetings.

The online information session was attended by approximately 38 people, according to Jeff Butts, the County's multimodal transportation planner. Butts helped run the meeting and has been key to coordinating community engagement processes.

"It's extremely valuable to have members of the public join us to talk about transportation," said Butts. "There are some complex issues with this corridor. Their input really helps."

The possibility of adding BRT to the corridor was raised in the 2014 Northwest Area Mobility Study produced by RTD. The study identified Hwy. 287 as having the highest projected ridership of areas that were reviewed, and suggested BRT could replace existing bus lines along the route. In part as a result, BRT is also included in the updated Boulder County Transportation Master Plan.

BRT routes would run from Longmont at Hwy. 66, all the way through to Broomfield on dedicated transit lanes that are independent of other traffic. One of the slides in the presentation indicated that if completed, the project would require $56 Million in capital costs and allow for 9,000 expected daily boardings as of 2035.

Information shared during the meeting highlighted the need for some action to address traffic conditions. Experts had counted between 25,000 and 48,000 vehicles on the corridor each day, with some of the longest delays at Baseline Road, eastbound NW Parkway, and Isabelle Road. Data was gathered both before and during the pandemic.

BRT Route Options and participant preferences

Transit planner Nick VanderKwaak presented three sets of route options for key transit areas in Longmont, Lafayette, and Broomfield, and asked participants to use a survey tool to choose between routes. VanderKwaak is employed by AECOM Consortium, the firm working with Boulder County on the process.

He noted that service would be similar to standard bus options, but is often faster, more flexible, scalable to community needs, and potentially more cost effective. He also asked that any survey respondents try to balance the need for low trip times, with the ability to get to specific destinations that aren't immediately on Hwy. 287. Other considerations include bus stop placements, land use, and ensuring that routes are developed so they serve riders in all communities equally.

Just before opening the meeting to questions, Butts showed responses from meeting participants. They favored placing the route along Pratt Parkway and Coffman Street in Longmont, connected to a planned transit way that will be placed in the area. They also were split between choices of staying on Hwy. 287 and directing the route to the existing Park and Ride stop in Lafayette.

Butts said that those not in attendance at the meeting could let them know about their preferences by taking the survey on the County's website at boco.org/287planning.

Community outreach efforts are ongoing

Given that the county is in the information gathering stages of developing a plan for the corridor, staff is continuing to move forward with community engagement. In addition, Butts said he is meeting with community groups to discuss planning. Anyone interested can email him at jbutts@bouldercounty.org.

In another effort to understand and respond to the public's needs, a working group of community stakeholders was formed from cities and towns, including Longmont, Broomfield, Lafayette, Erie and Fort Collins. Several non-municipal partners are also part of the group, including RTD, Transfort, The Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration. CDOT and Commuting Solutions. The group is listed on the county's website and continues to meet regularly.

Community meeting participants had the chance to ask questions at the end of the presentation. One participant asked about ways the planners were looking to prevent delays on the route, particularly in Broomfield where roads can be highly traveled and lane space is limited. Butts explained that planners were aware of issues in the area and were looking at solutions, but didn't have anything to report currently.

Another participant questioned whether the Lafayette Park and Ride might be moved. VanderKwaak indicated there would need to be a new location for the Park and Ride if the service in Lafayette stayed on Hwy. 287 rather than moving off Hwy. 287 to go to the existing park and ride.

Joliette Woodson, Transportation Engineer for the City of Lafayette added that the city has been talking to the County about the possibility of a second park and ride on Hwy. 287, but said, "We really want to find a way to connect any new park and ride to the old park and ride. It's complex, but we see the issue and we want to figure it out."

One member of the public raised a question about having managed lanes on the corridor similar to the lanes that are on Hwy. 36. Butts indicated that as planners see things, the congestion issues take place at intersections and it may not be something that would be addressed by managed lanes. While options like that are still being considered, currently the group is looking at determining which type of transit options would be used to help.

More outreach efforts will follow

As a follow up to this meeting, a third public discussion will take place just prior to August before the feasibility study wraps up. After that, the County will move into the next planning stage and focus on safety concerns for the area.