#Summit Cove, Colorado.
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| Summit County Government |
Summit County residents will see big improvements to bicycle and pedestrian travel in Summit Cove over the next few years, as the county government embarks on a project to add bicycle/pedestrian lanes along a 2.4-mile loop through the neighborhood.
The Summit Cove Loop Project will include striped bicycle/pedestrian lanes in both directions along Summit Drive and Cove Boulevard, and county officials hope to create safer and more enjoyable walking and riding experiences along the most heavily traveled roads in Summit Cove.
The project also will include crosswalks, roadway improvements, drainage improvements and enhanced connectivity with the Summit County recpath and Summit Stage public transit services.
The county currently is developing preliminary designs and meeting with stakeholders in the neighborhood. Officials want to gather public input at a community open house Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. at Summit Cove Elementary.
“Cove Boulevard and Summit Drive are both fairly wide, with an overall lack of striping, so vehicle speeds can get somewhat high, and it can be difficult to tell where you’re supposed to drive and where you’re supposed to walk or ride a bike,” said Kate Berg, county senior planner. “Through this project, we’ll create clear, visual cues that separate these modes of travel and minimize the conflicts between them.”
Cove Boulevard and Summit Drive will be striped within the existing rights-of-way to accommodate 4- to 5-foot-wide bicycle/pedestrian lanes along each side. Pavement markings will delineate them from vehicle lanes.
Widening of the asphalt will be minimized to the greatest extent possible.
“Along Summit Drive, we’re going to design all the improvements to fit within the existing road bench — from the edge of one shoulder to the edge of the opposite shoulder,” said Thad Noll, assistant county manager. “We won’t be widening the road onto private properties.”
Roadside drainage will be improved at locations throughout the loop to increase safety and pavement life. Portions of the roadway will likely be overlaid with a new asphalt surface or completely rebuilt in some sections.
The county will adjust several intersections to enhance visibility, reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety.
The project will be divided into three sections, with each constructed in a separate phase over the next three summers. At the same time, the county will make every attempt to complete needed improvements on roads adjacent to the loop.
Enhancements to pedestrian and bicycle routes in Summit Cove are called for in the Snake River Master Plan, adopted in 2010.
In 2009, Summit County completed a “walkability” study that identifies Summit Drive and Cove Boulevard as key areas for pedestrian improvements.
“We’ve received a lot of input from Summit Cove residents who would love to see dedicated spaces for pedestrians and cyclists. And there’s particularly strong interest in strategies to make it safer for children in the neighborhood to walk and ride their bikes to school,” County Commissioner Thomas Davidson said during a November commission meeting.
At the community open house on Dec. 10, Summit County will present proposed designs, discuss project details, answer questions from residents and collect input to help guide the final design.
“We’re really excited to work with the community on making Summit Cove a more bicycle-friendly, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood,” Berg said.
For more information on the Summit Cove Loop Project, including a map, visit www.co.summit.co.us/summitcoveloop. Those with questions or comments can contact county senior planner Kate Berg at 970-668-4204 or kateb@co.summit.co.us.
Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.
