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STATE OF COLORADO <br />DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION <br />~T'Y.~. <br />~~~~~ <br />,~ ~ ~ <br />Region 5 Tromc and SaRty Uoit <br />3803 North Main Avwue, Suite 100 <br />Durangq Colorado 81301 <br />(970) 385-8360 Or (970) 385-3626 <br />Fax (970) 3 SS-8361 <br />October i 6, 2002 <br />Montrose Cotutty Land Use Department <br />P.O. ]3ox 1289 <br />Montrose, Colorado 81402 <br />Re: Louisiana Land and Gravel CompanyBxpanded Gravel Pit <br />S.H. 145/Redvale Road <br />To Whom it May Concern: <br />OCi 1 8 2001 <br />MON7ROSE COI7NIY <br />LAND USE DEPT. <br />-wawrwa.r.-- - ~k~ W aHIP <br />Rem <br />NOV 2 12002 `~ <br />Grand Junction Field Offlca <br />Division of Minerals & OeOlopy <br />The Department has completed its review of the above-referenced project that proposes to expand a gravel pit operation <br />on approximately 160 acres that will gain access to State Highway 145 via Redvale Road with the potential of two <br />connections to State Highway 145. We previously provided comment pertaining to this pit when it was first proposed <br />and we did not recommend approval of the project until the access issues were resolved. For your convenience, I have <br />enclosed copies ofthe two letters previously sent We still do not recommend approval ofthe pit, marl] less any expansion <br />ofthe pit. It would affect the health, safety and welfare of the community and the general traveling public. <br />As Montrose County approves new development whose traffic is dvected to substandard access points, these <br />actions could place some liability on the county for fiiling to take the steps necessary to eliminate the problems and <br />thereby contributing to already existing hazardous conditions. Tn this case, Redvale Road is a very low volume <br />road with mostly passenger car vehicle traffic. There is high speed traffic that is approaching the intersection on a <br />clnve at the Redvale intersection making it very difficult for the vehicle approaching the curve to be seen by the <br />vehicle waiting to enter the highway in Redvale. It is also difficult for the vehicle stopped at the intersection to be <br />seen by the approaching vehicle on State Highway 145. <br />The Department can no longer agree with the approval of more development whose traffic is dvected to <br />substandard access points prior to construction of any required improvements to bring the county road connection <br />to Colorado Departrnent of Transportation specifications and standazds. I have recommended to Montrose County <br />that they establish a developer impact fee to address future improvements to highway accesses that aze impacted by <br />these types of projects. The fees should be for the exclusive purpose of future State Highway and county <br />roadlprivate road intersection improvements. We did not recommend approval ofthis project previously and we do <br />not recommend approval of any expansion until all the access issues have been resolved. If you have any questions <br />or concerns, please contact me at the address or telephone number indicated above. <br />S~lw~~;~Y{'~t1rY <br />e lnda D. Nichols <br />Region S Access Manager <br />Cc: Reynolds <br />Demming <br />King/Falk <br />File <br />