Public Comments Received Surrounding Online Open House Meeting #1

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Public Comments Received Surrounding Online Open House Meeting #1
CDOT Subaccount: 23484

                   Public Comments Received Surrounding
                      Online Open House Meeting #1

The first public open house for the Four Corners Intersection Improvements project was held online to
provide a safe, convenient way for community members to engage during the COVID-19 pandemic. The
open house was held on March 9, 2021 from 6 – 7 p.m. The goal of this public engagement point was to
introduce the project, present the results of alternatives development and analysis, and obtain public
feedback regarding the recommended improvements before moving into preliminary design.
Nearly 55 participants joined the open
house Zoom videoconference. Project
team members provided a 30-minute
presentation, which was followed by 30
minutes of answering questions posed
by participants in the chat feature and
group discussion. A recording of the live
presentation and the presentation
slides were posted on the project web
page (CRgov.com/4Corners) the day
after the open house to facilitate
follow-up comments and allow those
who missed the open house access to
the same information.
This public engagement opportunity was advertised through an email blast to the project mailing list,
news release, and Town of Castle Rock communication channels, including social media. Project
partners and nearby neighborhoods (Douglas County, CDOT, Woodlands, Founders Village, Escavara,
Flat Rock Village, Castle Oaks Village, and Sunstone Village) were provided with event advertisement
graphics for social media posts along with the news release and asked to distribute to their contact lists.
A postcard was mailed to more than 2,700 nearby property owners.
Community members were invited to provide comments during a two-week-long period spanning
before and after the meeting. Prior to the meeting, graphics of the four improvement alternatives
considered were posted to the project web page, along with the evaluation result for each (eliminated,
less favorable, and recommended). Comments were accepted through an online comment form,
Facebook post, email, and phone.
Following is a listing of comments submitted between March 1 – 14, categorized by sentiment. In
addition to comments received, many people requested to sign up for the project contact list. The
online comment form asked respondents to note their interest in the project. 30 people noted they live
or work near the Four Corners intersection. 13 people noted they commute/travel through the
intersection. Some noted both applied. The majority of commenters were in favor of the improvement
recommendations.

David Evans and Associates, Inc.                     1                                       March 15, 2021
Public Comments Received Surrounding Online Open House Meeting #1
CDOT Subaccount: 23484

Four improvement alternatives were considered and evaluated (see project
page). The Improved Signalized Intersection has been recommended. Do you
agree with the evaluation results?
    In Favor of Improved Signalized Intersection Recommendation
    ●   Yes. (x 2)
    ●   Yes, Improved signal would help.
    ●   Adding more lanes is always a good thing. I like the stoplight options, not the roundabout
        options as people tend to poorly use roundabouts in Colorado.
    ●   I agree that the Recommended option is best, but I was interested in understanding the analysis
        of the roundabout option.
    ●   Yes. I agree that adding lanes in all directions is the best alternative... the roundabout sounds
        like a nightmare and the others were also suboptimal in their own ways.
    ●   Agree with recommended alternative.
    ●   Double lefts and double through lanes will be great.
    ●   Most of the analysis makes sense from what I am reading.
    ●   Please not another roundabout!!! That would be the worse place to put it! (Facebook: 4 likes, 1
        love, 1 laugh)
    ●   Thank God. This intersection is hella dangerous. I would agree with other commenters that I
        don't think this is a good candidate for a roundabout. (Facebook: 1 like, 1 love)
    ●   This intersection has had so many accidents, one of which involved my son and his grandma.
        The car was totaled, they were ok as were the others involved! This needs attention but with
        the amount of traffic we have here I agree, a roundabout may not be the answer.
    ●   No roundabout. There are FAR too many vehicles through that intersection for a roundabout
        now, let alone as those traffic levels increase.
    ●   Not a roundabout—that’s just an accident waiting to happen! (Facebook: 1 laugh)
    ●   Please please please do not consider the roundabout option. It will be a nightmare.
    ●   Please remove the roundabout from consideration!
    ●   Definitely not a roundabout. That would be a nightmare.
    ●   Thank you for making the selection you did and not putting in another suicide circle.
    ●   Thanks for reaching out to the community. Much appreciated that we can have input on this.
        We live in the Terrain development on the south side. My biggest concern is we have to go
        across Hwy 86 at Autumn Sage if we want to walk a dog or something. This is pretty dangerous –
        there is 50 mph traffic here. If you have a roundabout at Four Corners, we would have had
        continuous flow on 86. Now we get some breaks in traffic where we can get across the street. I
        know this is a bit east of the project.

David Evans and Associates, Inc.                     2                                       March 15, 2021
Public Comments Received Surrounding Online Open House Meeting #1
CDOT Subaccount: 23484

    In Favor of Roundabout
    ●   No, I would rather have the roundabout option. Because of the stoplight the traffic backs up all
        the way south to the next traffic light at KS and beyond. Sometimes all the way to the
        roundabout at Ridge and Enderud.
    ●   Bring on the roundabouts! I hate sitting at stoplights! I would love to go all the way south on
        Founders/Ridge without stoplights and then down Plum Creek and never have to wait for a light
        until Wilcox! (Facebook: 10 likes)
    ●   Agree roundabouts are fantastic! Who wants to sit at a stop light!?!
    ●   In previous Town evaluation, it seemed like the round-a-bout was the design of choice. I think
        round-a-bouts have generally worked very well in Castle Rock. They keep traffic moving. I am
        curious why this was not recommended.
    ●   I would like you to reconsider the roundabout design, honestly.
    ●   Other than initial cost and design wouldn’t the roundabout design offer the best traffic flow and
        safety solution? They are going in everywhere else and this seems like an ideal intersection for
        one.
    Undecided
    ●   I am not sure yet.
    ●   If the exit of a highway can handle a roundabout (I-25 and the outlets) then there's not too
        much traffic at this one. If used properly roundabouts are fantastic. But that being said I'd want
        to hear what the experts said. (Facebook: 1 like, 2 love)
    Consider Other Alternatives
    ●   Yes somewhat, something needs to be done. Should be larger however. Incorporate part of the
        eliminated plan a combination of the two.
    ●   We need to do more to the intersection, particularly the 5th Street Hill.
    ●   Overpass. (Facebook: 2 likes)
    ●   How about a flyover?
    ●   An intersection I did not see on the figures is a Thru U or Thru Turn intersection. It improves
        through traffic capacity and moves the left turn out of the intersection. It also reduces speeds
        through the intersection itself. Example of this intersection is Draper, UT 12300 S and State St,
        east of I-15.
    ●   No I don't agree. The Improved Signalized Intersection addresses current needs but is not
        forward thinking or future proof. I agree signaling needs to be improved with additional
        roadway or camera sensors to modify traffic signal timing, but it doesn't improve safety for
        vehicles or pedestrians. Left turns are the most dangerous part of an intersection and moving
        the left turn away from the intersection where there's slower traffic, would be the most
        effective at improving safety. The Partial Continuous Flow intersection moves that left turn out
        of the intersection for the north/south traffic, while providing a safer left turn for the east/west
        traffic. If the speed limits of the intersecting roads were 35 mph I might agree with the Improved

David Evans and Associates, Inc.                     3                                       March 15, 2021
Public Comments Received Surrounding Online Open House Meeting #1
CDOT Subaccount: 23484

        Signalized Intersection, but speeds are closer to 50 mph from all directions, even though some
        of the posted limits are slower.
Please share your thoughts regarding the Recommended Improvements. What
would you like the Town to consider as preliminary design begins?
    ●   This proposal seems like a better solution vs. roundabout considering the amount of traffic flow.
        Any consideration to a traffic light between this intersection and Founders stoplight? It is very
        tough left turns from either residential area onto Hwy 86.
    ●   DO NOT ADD A STOPLIGHT BY THE 7-11, EVER. If you could remove the stoplight at the entrance
        of Escavera that would be great as well. They are not needed as they just slow down traffic for
        1-2 cars who can wait. I would know this as I used to live in Escavera. It was not hard to get onto
        Founders Parkway from that neighborhood.
    ●   Please consider alternatives to reduce confusion for those traveling westbound on Hwy 86 and
        turning right onto Founders Parkway. There is confusion regarding that far right lane (when it's
        okay to enter the lane) because the lane is also used to turn right onto Aloha St. I believe the full
        length of the lane should be used for vehicles making either right hand turn because traffic gets
        backed up at the light beyond the Aloha St. entrance. Clearer signs/markings would be helpful
        so those turning right at Founders Parkway are not surprised by those turning right at Aloha St.
        Thank you!
    ●   2 left turns is not better than 1 left turn. Multiple lanes for the heaviest trafficked directions for
        fast signal cycling is best. All right turns should be separate lanes. The church's driveway should
        be moved for safety. North/south pedestrian traffic should be rerouted to the King Soopers
        entrance on 86 - could integrate with new development southeast of KS.
    ●   Owner of 212 Pizza here - very concerned about access into and out of Founders Marketplace.
        As you can imagine this year has been very tough, and we want to make sure we can capitalize
        on the growth in the area without compromising access for delivery drivers and customers.
    ●   While this is preliminary design, I still think it's important to think about the impact to residents
        and travelers during construction. The intersection is already limited... I surely hope there isn't a
        plan to route cars through Terrain to avoid the intersection at times. OMG
    ●   It needs to be larger. With what was recommended will only get us caught up with today’s
        volume. We'll be doing this again in 10-15 years.
    ●   I own the property at 899 N. Ridge Road...during the video meeting you discussed that you
        would be looking at access. Per the 2030 and 2040 plans, my property is slated for commercial
        development and I DO plan to commercially develop this property in the future. I want to
        ensure this new intersection takes that into account and also access for the church on the
        corner. I want to make sure 899 N Ridge Road WILL have "Left In, Left Out" access. I look
        forward to these discussions. Thank you.
    ●   I listened to the Tuesday March 9th presentation, found it very informative and have a few
        comments regarding the project.
        »    Regarding the 3 properties / driveways on the west side of Ridge Road, Southwest corner of
             the project, and access to those properties I have the following: I've attached 2 sketches for
             adding a suggested "decel/accel" lane for use by all 3 properties along the west side of Ridge

David Evans and Associates, Inc.                      4                                         March 15, 2021
Public Comments Received Surrounding Online Open House Meeting #1
CDOT Subaccount: 23484

             Road. Adding this adjacent lane along the west side of the proposed/current southbound
             turn lane from 5th Street along Ridge Rd would move all southbound traffic entering or
             exiting these 3 driveways out of the turn lane & future southbound lanes ; I believe this
             would increase the safety to all traffic movements in that area, allow vehicles entering
             these driveways to move out of the traffic flow & allow vehicles exiting these properties
             considerable distance to merge into the 2 lanes southbound (especially effective when
             extending this additional acceleration/deceleration lane to some point past the 3rd
             driveway on Ridge Road). I believe adding this additional lane now is at minimal additional
             cost (add is only roadway; curb, gutter, etc. costs already included in the project estimate),
             might be less costly than moving the church driveway to the other driveway south at 895 N.
             Ridge, would not necessitate reworking the Ridge Rd improvements at some time in the
             future if/when any of these 3 properties are possibly commercially developed (including the
             relocated utilities , sidewalk, street lighting , the signal pole locations, etc.); I know part of
             this is beyond the project limits of 4 Corners, but I believe it Is interrelated with the Ridge
             Road widening project. Incorporate plans for this future lane now (to be extended by Others
             for a southbound right turn access at the King Soopers light into the 10A lot (895 N. Ridge
             Road) for any future commercial development.

David Evans and Associates, Inc.                       5                                        March 15, 2021
CDOT Subaccount: 23484

        »    Marketplace left turn lanes on RT 86 WB & Ridge SB: Also during the discussion on Tuesday,
             in reference to consideration of including left turn lanes for improved access into Founders
             Marketplace, both off of Route 86 westbound and Ridge Road southbound>>> I believe a
             southbound Ridge Road left turn, being so close to the light, would not be beneficial [ it
             would have to cross thru waiting traffic in the northbound turn lane] & only minimally add
             improved access that already is available from all traffic pattern directions but WB Rt. 86
             into the Marketplace side road. I believe the left turn lane option off of Rt 86 west bound
             would greatly improve access into the Marketplace, as well as King Soopers.
        »    Also I am a property owner along the 5th Street widening project, my home backing to 5th
             Street on the north side of that project roadway [ in the Castle Crest subdivision]. I'm very
             interested in additional project information, prelim plans & drawings, etc. regarding that
             project [I've left a few telephone messages to the Project PM in the past].
Do you have any general suggestions and comments regarding this
transportation project?
    ●   Let's always keep budget in mind. Just because we have the money to spend doesn't mean we
        need to top it out with the highest bid.
    ●   I would like to add that Hwy 86, Ridge Road and 5th Street all need to be Four lane where they
        are not Four Lane presently. If you wait then when done at a later date then the Four Corners
        will have to be redone. Just my thoughts on this matter. Improvements to Four Corners is much
        appreciated.

David Evans and Associates, Inc.                     6                                       March 15, 2021
CDOT Subaccount: 23484

    ●   This is an EXTREMELY busy intersection. Please consider the rush hour traffic when doing
        construction. My commute to work is already an hour long. I don't want it to be an hour longer
        because of this construction. A roundabout would have been a better option.
    ●   First and foremost, I'm really glad to see the Town is getting started on improving the
        intersection. Thank you for that! If not already mentioned, this is a major route for high school
        students to get to Douglas County High School and traffic volumes for left turns from Ridge Rd
        to 5th Street are higher during the school year.
    ●   While we're at it, can we fix the crazy lanes from there all the way down to the roundabout at
        Enderud? Heading south, almost no one turns right onto fifth, so everyone has to merge over to
        the left lanes. Then ridge road has several not-so-gentle bends as it winds its way around all the
        patch jobs and add-ons it has gone through. (Facebook: 1 like)
    ●   I hope this fixes the issues and idiots that cut other people off.
    ●   I hope everything makes sense and doesn't take long to complete.....my major issue is the
        people who speed and race as fast as they can to be the first one to turn east on 86....I’m sure a
        lot of road rage has happened as a result of that.
    ●   Hopefully this will include a sidewalk to downtown Castle Rock that should have been done by
        now according to the towns plan back in 2016. It is unsafe for pedestrians trying to get from the
        Ridge Rd. stop light to the Woodlands stop light. (Facebook: 2 likes)
    ●   This intersection heavily impacts the traffic flow on Founders coming from I 25. I was not able to
        tell from the pictures if this issue is being addressed (I surely hope so, but appreciate your
        careful consideration if it is not). A major problem with the traffic flow is caused by the
        placement of the left turn lanes and lane that continues on to Ridge rd. Approaching that
        intersection, cars going straight or left have to be in the left lane, while the right lane ends and
        becomes the right turn lane onto 5th St. Most of the traffic turns left or goes straight, so they all
        have to be in the left lane. Herein lies the problem. All the way from Crowfoot, drivers have to
        start “getting in line” in that left lane, miles ahead of approaching that intersection, rather than
        traveling in the right lane. There’s usually a stream of cars in the left lane, and very few in the
        right lane. This makes it difficult for people who live in the Terrain to get over when they need
        to turn into the 3 neighborhood entrances from Founders. I for one am not going to travel in the
        left lane all that way, going 70 mph just too keep from getting run over so that I can turn onto
        Copper Cloud way down the road. Yes, I’ve missed my street because I can’t get over. The one-
        lane congestion is definitely a safety issue that this project can absolutely have a positive impact
        on.

        My apologies for any mis-typing as I’m submitting this from my phone. I am more than happy to
        discuss further with you at any time. Unfortunately I have a work meeting the night of March
        9th. Thank you for your time.
    ●   Travel it every day and back to work, curious what the plans are. Luckily I travel it at mostly off
        hours.
    ●   Thanks for your work on this project.
    ●   Thank you for focusing on this intersection.
    ●   Thank you all. This was very helpful.

David Evans and Associates, Inc.                       7                                      March 15, 2021
CDOT Subaccount: 23484

    ●   Thank you, Town and DEA.
    ●   Take care of it quickly please.

David Evans and Associates, Inc.          8         March 15, 2021
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