Article Contributed on: 9/2/2009 10:15:37 AM
$6 million road provides direct route to south end of town, I-25
The Town of Castle Rock officially opened Plum Creek Parkway to the public last week, providing residents with a better connection between eastern Castle Rock and downtown.
Bikers and walkers gathered in the morning sunshine to be among the first to try out the 8-foot-wide multiuse path along the nearly 1-mile stretch, also known as the southeast arterial connection road.
The $6 million road connects a roundabout at North Ridge Road to Miller Boulevard. It is designed to give residents of Founders Village and Castlewood Ranch a direct route to the south end of town and Interstate 25.
"I'm looking forward to using it, and hope you will find it as convenient as I think it's going to be," said Councilman Joe Procopio, who represents the area.
He said when he drives to council meetings on Tuesday evenings, he always gets stuck at the train crossing. The new road will help residents avoid the Fifth Street railroad crossing and will reduce traffic congestion on Fifth Street.
Councilman Mitch Dulleck, who also represents the area, said the roundabout was chosen for the intersection at North Ridge Road and Plum Creek Parkway because it is a lot safer than a regular four-way stop.
He said the roundabout soon will have aesthetically-pleasing elements, such as landscaping or a statue.
"I'm pushing for a statue of myself on a horse," he joked.
Castle Rock resident Janie Letterman said she will use the road to jump on I-25 to go to Colorado Springs.
Ted Ayres, who lives in Castlewood Ranch, said the road will help take about 10 minutes off his commute to C-470 and I-25.
"The road is something we've been waiting for since we moved here in 2004," he said.
The southeast arterial connection is one of three voter-approved Transportation Action Plan projects. By the end of the year, Plum Creek Parkway will extend all the way to Coachline Road in western Castle Rock, once the southwest arterial connection road, another TAP project, is completed.
Erin Feese: 303-954-2953 or feesee@yourhub.com