Frequently Asked Questions
Glossary

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Was the study able to get any federal funding?
  A: Yes. The SAFETEA-LU bill provided funds for the Arapahoe/Parker area. Potential funds through Referendum C have yet to be identified through the state process.


• Q: Is this project tied to potential improvements to Arapahoe Road east towards Grandview High School?
  A: That is a separate project. Currently, Arapahoe County is holding discussions with the City of Centennial to get the design completed. The City and County are planning improvements to make Arapahoe Road six lanes from Waco to Liverpool.


• Q: How will T-REX completion and SE Corridor LRT opening in November affect traffic volumes on Arapahoe Road?
  A: Projected opening day traffic information will be obtained from CDOT and RTD and, if available, will be posted on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page of the project website (www.arapahoecorridor.com).


• Q: Will cities involved in the project be coordinating with special districts?
  A: Special districts will be asked to be involved in the project, and some will hopefully be represented on the Community Resource Panel. If there are conflicts anticipated to result from the suggested improvements, once they are identified, mitigation will be discussed with cities and special districts.


• Q: How will transit services at the Arapahoe LRT station and park-n-Ride connect with other bus routes and employment centers?
  A: The Southeast Business Partnership (SEBP) is working out schedules for coordinating bus, train and call-n-Ride service to and from employment centers and the park-n-Ride. SEBP is planning on rolling out a public relations campaign to advertise this, and is also working with large companies in the area to provide incentives to their employees for using public transit methods.


• Q: How does the call-n-Ride service work?
  A: The call-n-Ride service is designed to supplement existing RTD service, using small vehicles that are easy to board and wheelchair accessible. Passengers can call RTD at least an hour in advance to request a trip within the service’s territory, and a small bus will pick up the passenger and deliver them directly to their location if within the call-n-Ride area.


• Q: How is future development prevented that would limit improvement options and benefits of the alternatives that will be identified in this process?
  A: This study provides the County and adjoining city governments the opportunity to preserve right of way for future transportation improvements through their land planning and development approval processes (local governments have this opportunity, but CDOT has to purchase ROW). An example of this is the ROW preservation that the City of Aurora facilitated with the development at the northeast corner of the Arapahoe Road/Parker Road intersection. Based on the recommended interchange improvements from the Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment completed in the late 1990’s, the City of Aurora was able to preserve right of way on that corner for the future interchange configuration, while still allowing the development to proceed.


• Q: Is there still consideration by Arapahoe and Douglas Counties for an extension of County Line Road between Parker Road and I-25?
  A: An alignment for extension of County Line Road may be precluded by existing development and Centennial Airport. However, a half diamond interchange remains under consideration at Cottonwood Drive east of I-25.


• Q: Are the project’s TAC & EC meetings open for public attendance?
  A: This is a publicly-funded project, so these meetings are open to the public. However, the public would not be invited to speak at these meetings, only observe. Upcoming meeting dates/times will be posted to the Committees page of the project website.


• Q: Is this study looking at any bridges at major intersections along Arapahoe Road?
  A: Grade separations of high volume traffic movements at major intersections may be considered. Improvements to the I-25 interchange with Arapahoe Road may likely be considered, and an interchange feasibility study prepared for CDOT approval.


• Q: What are the plans for improvement to Arapahoe and Parker?
  A: The Arapahoe Road/Parker Road interchange project is a separate CDOT project now underway. This project is estimated to cost $45 - $50 million, and currently $16 – 20 million has been secured for the project. The project will include interchange final design, right of way acquisition, and phased implementation of improvements (ring road, Arapahoe widening east of Parker Road, storm sewer construction, ramps, bridge). CDOT and Arapahoe County continue to pursue funds to cover the entire cost of the project. The plan is for Parker Road to cross over Arapahoe Road.


• Q: How can traffic operations around the soccer fields on the southwest corner of Arapahoe Road and Parker Road be improved?
  A: A new planned commercial development will eliminate the soccer fields. The developer is planning on submitting a proposal to the City of Aurora within the next 90 days with details of the development.


• Q: Are there considerations at Arapahoe Road and Jordan Road regarding noise?
  A: Yes. The environmental analysis portion of this study will consider noise mitigation options.

Glossary

• Context Sensitive Design - Context sensitive design focuses first on the need and purpose of the transportation project, and then equally addresses safety, mobility, and the preservation of scenic, aesthetic, historic, environmental, and other community values. Context sensitive design represents a comprehensive process that attempts to bring all stakeholders together in a positive, proactive environment with the objective being the completion of projects that meet transportation needs and are viewed as improvements or enhancements to the community through preservation efforts and sensitivity to local values.
  
  
• CDOT Access Code Classification - Determines the degree to which access to a state highway is controlled
  
  
• Density - A common measure of intensity of development such as people per mile, households per acre, jobs per block, etc...
  
  
• FONSI - Finding of No Significant Impact. A document that briefly states why a project will not significantly affect the natural or man-made environment, thus voiding the requirement for mitigation of impacts called for in an Environmental Impact Statement.
  
  
• Light Rail (LRT) - Lightweight rail cars operating on fixed rails that provide intra-urban transportation.
  
  
• Redevelopment - The rejuvenation of existing residential, commercial, industrial and retail structures/buildings.
  
  
• RTD - Regional Transportation District. The public agency responsible for the provision of transit in the Denver Metro Region.
  
  
• Structured Parking - Parking contained within a specialized building either above or below ground.
  
  
• Surface Parking - Parking that wholly exists at the ground level.
  
  
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) - Moderate to higher density development, located within an easy walk of a major transit stop, generally with a mix of residential, employment, and shopping opportunities designed for pedestrians without excluding the auto.