2008-04-15_REVISION - M1980244 (268)

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Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company MLE Traffic Impact Study SUMMARY CC&V is seeking to extend the life of the gold mine. The project would extend principal mining operations from Year 2012 to Year 2016, with leaching continuing through about 2024 and closure reclamation of the mine being performed through about Year 2032. The MLE project will not increase daily mining operational levels. The MLE project is based on extracting the gold resources in various areas of the mine, particularly on the north side of the mining district. It also involves the creation of an overburden storage area on the east side of the mine, and building Phase 5 extension to the VLF on the southwest side of the mine in the vicinity of the Arequa Gulch overburden storage area. This traffic study examined the impacts of the MLE project on key roadway facilities around the mine. Current employment numbers are around 332 people. Truck deliveries are being made at a rate that is below the mine's maximum potential operational level. Daily traffic counts for key roadways and turning movement counts for the Ironclad and Carlton access points were taken for this study. AM and PM peak hour capacity analyses were performed and indicate that all traffic movements are currently operating at excellent levels of service at both of these intersections. The proposed location of the East Cresson overburden storage area and the Wildhorse Extension of the East Cresson Mine will impact CR 82 and CR 83. CR 82 is proposed to be realigned. CR 83 is proposed to be closed. Traffic that is currently traveling on CR 83 between CR 82 and CR 81 is projected to divert to CR 82. CR 82 will have more than adequate capacity to handle the increased traffic. Construction of the Phase 5 VLF will require that lime, diesel, and gasoline deliveries be made to the mine via the Ironclad access rather than. the traditional route through the Carlton access. This is a positive impact for SH 67 because a fewer trucks will travel through the town of Cripple Creek and approximately seven miles of SH 67 between Cripple Creek and Victor. The change . in delivery route for diesel, gasoline, and lime, however, will add more turning traffic to the intersection of CR 821 and SH 67. To offset these impacts, CC&V has proposed to construct an auxiliary westbound left turn/deceleration lane at this intersection. Additionally, CC&V has proposed to construct an eastbound acceleration lane on SH 67 for northbound right turns from CR 821 to SH 67. These auxiliary lanes will not only improve safety for intersection traffic, but will be a benefit to traffic operations. The MLE project will add a relatively small amount of traffic to area roadways during Phase 5 VLF construction. This traffic will only be temporary traffic, however, and will not be a part of the normal everyday traffic once that facility is built. Future background traffic (traffic not' associated with the mine) is projected to grow at about two percent per year. Future total peak hour intersection turning movement traffic Interstate Engineering,.Inc. 14 April, 2008