over the river application to fremont county for a temporary use permit project for the arkansas...

Over The River

Application to Fremont County for a Temporary Use Permit

Project for the Arkansas RiverState of Colorado

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The artists plan to suspend 5.9 miles of silvery, luminous fabric panels high above

the Arkansas River

© Christo 2009; Photo: Andre Grossman

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Translucent fabric panels will emphasize the configuration of the river as it meanders,

winds and bends

© Christo 1999; Photo: Wolfgang Volz

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Two-week exhibition period proposed for August of 2014

© Christo, 2008; Photo by Andre Grossman

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Status and Phases of Over The RiverPermitting Process • EIS phase complete and BLM permit secured• Division of Parks & Wildlife and State Land

Board approvals secured• County permitting process currently underway• Currently securing permit from CDOT• CSP Event Permit • Event Management Planning underway

Installation• In phases over two years, beginning in July

2012, assuming all permits and agreements are obtained

• Not continuous over two years; many breaks.

Exhibition • Planned for two consecutive weeks in August

2014

Removal• Approx. three months

Photo: Wolfgang Volz

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Additional Benefits of OTR Project

• Stored UP railcars have been removed from the Valley.

• New habitat for bighorn sheep is being provided through habitat treatment work currently in progress. Mitigation may increase the population of bighorn sheep in the Arkansas Valley. © Christo 2007; Photo: Wolfgang Volz

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Comprehensive Mitigation


• OTR’s permit application incorporates the more than 100 mitigation measures already identified in the EIS. These measures avoid or minimize the potential impacts.

• Fremont and Chaffee Counties worked closely with the BLM as cooperating agencies to develop this comprehensive set of solutions for Over The River.

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Safety Measures Included in the FEIS

• Approximately 21 law enforcement personnel will “be stationed throughout the greater project area ... to ensure no-stopping restrictions are observed, to maintain orderly traffic flow, [and] to ensure rapid incident response.” FEIS at 4-201.

• Higher than normal levels of traffic and driver distractions “[will] be offset to some degree by slower travel speeds throughout the corridor (lower average accident severity) and a high level of monitoring and law enforcement presence.” FEIS at 4-230.

© Christo, 2007; Photo by Andre Grossman

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Safety Measures Included in the FEIS

• Approximately 100 to 150 monitors [will] be stationed throughout the corridor … to maintain surveillance” and provide communication “in the event of an emergency.” FEIS at 4-202.

• “Local fire departments will be provided with supplementary communications equipment, if necessary. To ensure that a small fire would be controlled quickly, smaller caches of handheld firefighting equipment would be located at the Vallie Bridge Limited Rest Stop. All work crews would be trained in quick response wildfire suppression techniques as well.” FEIS at 4-202.

www.shuttershock.com

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• Medical concerns will be addressed every day from sunrise to sunset during the week of fabric blossoming, the two week exhibition, and the first week of the removal phase. FEIS at 4-202.

• A medical helicopter will be staged at

the Texas Creek Staging Area. FEIS at 4-202.

• An ambulance with paramedics will be

staged at Texas Creek and Parkdale Recreation sites. FEIS at 4-202.

• First aid stations staffed by trained paramedics will be located at each of the limited rest stops and information centers in the corridor. FEIS at 4-202.

Safety Measures

http://www.coleparmer.com/buy/product/3862-safety-sign-first-aid-station-symbol-7-x-10-plastic.html

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Management of Traffic – OTR Priorities

Public Safety is of prime importance

• Prevent diversion to local roads through Adaptive Traffic Management.

• Provide for safe passage of emergency vehicles.

• Minimize delays to the traveling public.

• Use methods that have worked – techniques currently used by CDOT on US 50 maintenance.

• Ensure public is fully informed through an aggressive public information campaign.


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Management of Traffic – OTR Priorities


• Prevent diversion to local roads through Adaptive Traffic Management.

• Provide for safe passage of emergency vehicles.

• Minimize delays to the traveling public.

• Use methods that have worked – techniques currently used by CDOT on US 50 maintenance.

• Ensure public is fully informed through an aggressive public information campaign.


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• Done under CDOT Special Use permit

• Uses temporary 400-foot work zone lane closure

• Similar to traffic control used for routine CDOT maintenance activities

• Expected cumulative delay 10 minutes or less corridor-wide

• Westbound lane (riverside lane) only during daylight hours

• No closures allowed from Memorial Day to Labor Day

• NEVER close both lanes in any location at the same time

Management of Traffic – Construction Phase


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Construction

• As shown, state-of-the-art equipment to be used for installation on the highway side of the river requires only a single lane of US 50.

• All temporary lane closures will comply with CDOT regulations.

• Variable Message Signs (VMS) to inform motorists

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Lane closure schedule

• Two temporary work zones corridor wide for only 27 days.

• 10-mile spacing of temporary lane closures.

© Christo 2007; Photo: André Grossmann

• Will create gaps for left turns off of US 50.

• Average traffic delay will be 3-5 minutes per work zone.

• No diversion to County roads.

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Lane Shift with Continued Two-Way Traffic

• Shifts westbound lane while maintaining two-way traffic

• Allows two full lanes open to traffic

• Use in 3 lane sections and areas with wide shoulders

• Occurs only during allowable time periods


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• No pedestrian travel along US 50 within 0.5 miles of panel areas and/or other areas as deemed necessary by BLM and State Parks Staff.

Management of Traffic – Exhibition Phase

© Christo 2010; Photo: André Grossmann

• All pullouts on US 50 and County Road 45 within 0.5 miles of any fabric panel section will be closed.

• CDOT will not divert traffic to County roads.

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• Bicycle travel along US 50 prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

• No organized bicycle events would be allowed on US 50 during the exhibition.

• Overweight, oversize and hazardous cargo trucks will be restricted from the site during the exhibition period (by CDOT permit) and banned from County roads. Local traffic only on county roads.

• Temporary speed reductions of 10 mph will be posted near all fabric panel areas.


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• Vehicles will not be allowed to stop within 0.5 miles of a fabric panel section.

• Install temporary signals at intersection of US 50 and: Royal Gorge, SH 9, SH 69, road to the back side of Royal Gorge, Harvey Bridge, Cotopaxi, CR 45, Pinnacle Rock, and Spikebuck.



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• Strategies used for Glenwood Canyon ribbon-cutting and SH 82 Entrance to Aspen project

• Plan will include measures to shift anticipated peak period visitation to off-peak periods

- Increase carpooling- Use of vans, shuttles and

buses

• Includes targeted messages

- Traditional media (television, radio, newspapers)

- Social media (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and newer tools that emerge by 2014)


Exhibition Phase-Reduce peak period travel delays and enhance visitor experience

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OTR Priorities-Event Management


• Event Management Plan will define responsibilities and roles.

• CSP and CDOT will have primary authority, supported by OTR resources.

• Prevent diversion to local roads through signing and enforcement.

• Public will be fully informed through an aggressive public information campaign

• Conduct a safe, enjoyable viewing experience.


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A Growing List of Supporters

• Action 22

• Arkansas River Outfitters Association

• Art Works For the Heart of the Rockies

• Mike Bandera, President of Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

• U.S. Senator Michael Bennet

• City Council of Canon City

• Canon City Chamber of Commerce and Doug Shane

• Chaffee County Visitors Bureau

• Colorado Council on the Arts

• Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau

• Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

• Colorado Springs Gazette

• COPPeR

• Denver Art Museum

• Maggie Divelbiss and the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center Board of Trustees

• Bill Dvorak, President of Dvorak Expeditions

• Fremont Center for the Arts

• Fremont Community Foundation

• Fremont County Tourism Council

• Governor John Hickenlooper

• Dr. Robin Gooldy, Superintendent of Canon City Schools

• Colorado State Senator Kevin Grantham

• Mike King, Director of Colorado Department of Natural Resources

• U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn

• The Mountain Mail

• Andy Neinas, President of Echo Canyon River Expeditions

• George Turner, Former Executive Director of the Canon City Chamber

• The Pueblo Chieftain

• U.S. Senator Mark Udall

• Visit Denver – Denver Convention & Visitors Bureau

• Western Colorado Center for the Arts

• Whitewater Adventure Outfitters

Many organizations have already pledged their support of Over The River. Below is a partial list of the individuals and organizations that have submitted statements of support to date.

over the river application to fremont county for a temporary use permit project for the arkansas...

Documents

wolfgang volz slide

andre grossman slide

arkansas river christo

months photo

river application

bends christo

mitigation measures

securing permit