Baptist Road Concept Plan

Design criteria is proposed to accommodate a 4 lane divided roadway arterial street with a 60 mile per hour design speed (50 mph at I-25), sidewalks and auxiliary lanes with curb and gutter between proposed Beacon Lite Road and Jackson Creek Parkway.

Programmed projects scheduled for Baptist Road include the following:

1. Baptist Road/Tari Drive -2 lane grade modification - 1996
2. Baptist Road/Leather Chaps Intersection - 1997
3. Baptist Road/AT & SF Railroad Crossing lights and gates - 1997
4. Mitchell Ave Extension - 1998

Infrastructure development phasing of future projects and construction cost estimate in 1996 dollar values not including ROW, planning, engineering, administration, legal or financial are as follows:

Total estimated construction cost for entire 3 mile Concept Plan segment as one project encompassing all improvements over a 3 year period is $9,826,000.

Baptist Road is fast becoming a principal east-west transportation artery in northern El Paso County. Future connections to proposed Mitchell Avenue (extended) on the west and Roller Coaster Road on the east will expand the function of Baptist Road as a major thoroughfare. The existing roadway currently serves several commercial facilities at the I-25 interchange and numerous residences in several County subdivisions to include Chaparral Hills, Gleneagle, Kingswood and Pleasant View. El Paso County Planning Department has identified 23 ownership parcels containing approximately 6,500 acres if developed over the next 20 years will add significant traffic volume to the Baptist Road corridor. A group of interested parties and agencies have formed a Baptist Road Task Force to address the immediate and future need to improve the existing roadway and determine potential funding sources and mechanisms to finance the needed improvements.

The Baptist Road Task Force, to include El Paso County, Town of Monument, Triview Metropolitan District, Forest Lakes Metropolitan District and approximately 30 property owners, developers and subdivision representatives, have been meeting periodically since early 1995 to identify corridor traffic, land access, roadway safety and congestion issues. To assist the Task Force in their examination, the Triview Metropolitan District has sponsored the preparation of this Baptist Road Concept Plan to graphically present a future "20 year" roadway improvement to arterial street standards from proposed Mitchell Avenue Extension to Tari Drive, a length of approximately 3 miles. The El Paso County Department of Transportation have greatly assisted in the preparation of this report by providing field survey data, project communication/coordination, concept plan review and critique.

The purpose of preparing this Baptist Road Concept Plan includes the following:

A review of the project corridor and research of available information has identified the following corridor conditions, issues and constraints which were noted in part during a field trip by various Task Force participants in January, 1995:

A. Proposed Mitchell Avenue Extension - Baptist Road Concept Plan West Terminus.

1. Mitchell Avenue Extension is planned to connect to Baptist Road at approximately 700’ west of Monument Creek and should function as a reliever to the Town of Monument and western El Paso County with respect to traffic congestion at the I-25/Highway 105 interchange.
2. Traffic volumes from west of this proposed intersection are anticipated to be relatively low. Most traffic is expected to flow between Baptist Road and the Town of Monument in the north-south direction.
3. Right-of-Way for proposed Mitchell Avenue Extension has been reserved for a width of 120’ in El Paso County.
4. Mitchell Avenue Extension is in the TIP/Congestion Management System to be upgraded and extended. There should be some connection (possibly 2 lanes) between 105 and Baptist Road by 1997-98.
5. Alignment of Mitchell Avenue Extension north of Baptist Road will follow Forest Lakes boundary.

B. Monument Creek Bridge:

1. El Paso County constructed a new 2-lane bridge over Monument Creek in 1994.
2. Existing bridge has a width of 38’, which can accommodate a 2-lane collector roadway.

C. Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe (AT & SF), Railroad Crossing:

1. Approximately 28 trains per day pass through this at-grade crossing.
2. Project is programmed for installation of signal lights and roadway gates in 1997.
3. Northeast slope could be laid back and east approach to RR crossing could be reduced in grade to enhance sight distance.
4. Both the Town of Monument and El Paso County will require 120’ of ROW for Baptist Road in this vicinity.
5. A grade separation (Baptist Road over RR) should be considered when traffic volumes approach 2,700 vehicles per day with an "exposure index" of 75,000. (Exposure index is calculated by multiplying the avarage daily number of trains by the average daily vehicular traffic (i.e. 28 x 2,700 = 75,600).

D. Old Denver Highway/Santa Fe Trail:

1. Santa Fe Trail alignment crosses Baptist Road just east of Old Denver Highway. A trail head is located on the northeast corner of Baptist Road and Old Denver Highway. A signalized or grade seperated crossing of the Sante Fe Trail over Baptist Road should be considered in the long range plan.
2. Long narrow parcel NE of Baptist Road/Old Denver Highway intersection is in Monument and will need access. Most of the adjacent land is zoned Planned Industrial with a small piece of Planned Industrial near Baptist Road. There will have to be some east-west trail crossing to connect Old Denver Highway to proposed Beacon Lite Road. Planned Development access for the adjacent property could provide additional access to the Total Gas Station to the east.
3. Old Denver Highway access should be consider in conjunction with the proposed extension of Beacon Lite in Monument north to County Line Road. This will provide a continuous thoroughfare on the west side of I-25.
4. Old Denver Highway has been extended south of Baptist Road as a rural collector to serve Woodcarver, Navsys, Bremer, Wing Lake and Eagle.
5. Existing access road to the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant is located just east of the Sante Fe Trail crossing of Baptist Road.

E. I-25 Interchange and vicinity:

1. Both Total Gas Station and Brookhardt’s are located within El Paso County. With the exception of these parcels, land in all four directions from the I-25 interchange is located within the Town of Monument and is currently vacant.
2. With its current configuration of ramps and frontage roads, land adjacent to the I-25 interchange could develop in a very unacceptable fashion, similar to what is currently being experienced at the I-25/Highway 105 interchange. Any changes/improvements within I-25 right-of-way must be coordinated with the Colorado Department of Transportation. Colorado Department of Transportation controls the right-of-way for Baptist Road at the east and west ramp intersections.
3. Access to Total Gas Station should be shifted to the west, or at least eventually changed to right-in-right-out.
4. Ultimately Baptist Road will need to be signalized in this area.
5. Existing Baptist Road bridge over I-25 was built in 1963 and accommodates 2 lanes. In the future, it may reasonable to build a second parallel span to accommodate a total of 4 lanes with the current design speed of approximately 40 miles per hour.
6. The south bound off ramp from I-25 should be widened at Baptist Road to allow for truck turning movements. The south on ramp to I-25 should be extended to allow more distance for merging.
7. Vacant land to the south of Baptist Road and on both sides of I-25 is in Forest Lakes Business Center and in the Town of Monument. On the southwest side of I-25 and Baptist Road there will be internal access considerations for planned industrial land use, the Sante Fe Trail, the Railroad and Monument Creek.
8. On the east side, Struthers Road should be relocated to the east, around Brookhart’s. If proper provisions are made, the current alignment in this vicinity might be abandoned. Struther’s Road could align with the proposed Jackson Creek Parkway, which has been rough-cut north of Baptist Road into the Triview Metropolitan District. Access provisions should be agreed to by all parties.
9. The roadway grade just east of Brookhart’s should be reduced.
10. A future access point west of Jackson Creek serving Forest Lakes Business Center should be right-in-right out only.

F. Triview Metropolitan District/Chaparral Hills Area:

1. Planned "Jackson Creek Parkway" would be an extension of Struthers Road, possibly along the alignment which has been rough-cut north of Baptist Road. Alignment of Jackson Creek Parkway will extend south along the east boundary of Forest Lakes Business Center connecting with Struthers to the south.
2. Jackson Creek collector sanitary sewer is planned to be located on the proposed Jackson Creek Parkway/Struthers Roadway and in Baptist Road to the east.
3. A grade leveling project on Baptist Road between Jackson Creek and Leather Chaps Road will reduce elevation changes and increase sight distance. This should be done early, and could reduce the current icing problem experienced on the hill across from Chaparral Hills.
4. In the area of Chaparral Hills, it is likely that all additional required right-of-way will need to acquired from the Triview Metropolitan District.
5. There are four Chaparral Hills property accesses which will need to be accommodated, possibly with a frontage road/driveway configuration.
6. Leather Chaps Drive will be kept open to traffic. Triview Metropolitan District is planning to improve the Baptist Road/Leather Chaps intersection as part of Phase 1 Development scheduled for 1997.
7. Baptist Road will require a major structure (twin 10’ x 10, RCB) to cross Jackson Creek. This structure should accommodate a future Jackson Creek Trail, extending north into Triview Metropolitan District and south to eventually cross under I-25.

G. Gleneagle Area:

1. Gleneagle Drive contributes approximately 2/3 of the current traffic on Baptist Road east of I-25. The existing traffic volume on Baptist Road is estimated at 4,000 vehicles per day.
2. Gleneagle should eventually extend north to Furrow Road, as a minor arterial. This may be a very long term project. The hill just to the west of Gleneagle needs to be cut down, with fill placed at bottom of hill.

H. Kingswood Subdivision Area:

1. Existing Kingswood Drive will remain.
2. Access to lots 1 and 2 of Kingswood subdivision replat should try to be combined at one drive entrance off Baptist Road.

I. Ridge at Fox Run/Pleasant View:

1. Project is underway to reduce the grade at Baptist Road at the proposed entrance to the Ridge at Fox Run development. This work is being undertaken with respect to the ultimate 4 lane configuration of Baptist Road.
2. Tari Drive will be slightly modified with access provided for parcels on the south side of Baptist Road.

J. Fox Run Park/Rollercoaster Road:

1. Alignment of Baptist Road will bisect the Ridge at Fox Run development passing through northwest corner of Fox Run Park and then turn directly east to intersect with Rollercoaster at 90 degrees on the Higby section line.
2. County Parks and the Ridge at Fox Run developer are anticipating an east-west trail connecting Santa Fe Trail to Fox Run Regional Park located north of the Ridge at Fox Run.
3. County Department of Transportation would like to have the future east-west trail detached from Baptist Road.
4. The east-west trail may also be accommodated within the Triview Metropolitan District.

In Summary, a general overview of the Baptist Road transportation corridor includes the following considerations:

1. Future connection with Mitchell Avenue (extended) at the west end of Baptist Road
2. Right-of-Way requirements
3. Monument Creek bridge crossing
4. At grade versus grade separated railroad crossing
5. Santa Fe Trail crossing
6. interchange capacity/safety improvement
7. Vertical alignment sight distance Existing and proposed access points
8. Grading and drainage considerations
9. Existing and proposed utilities
10. Fox Run Trail and Jackson Creek Trail accommodation
11. Future connection with Roller Coaster Road through Ridge at Fox Run

Many of the project issues have been addressed in previous Baptist Road Task Force meetings. The purpose of this Concept Plan is to further define corridor design issues, project costs, time/phase requirements, intergovernmental actions and property owner cooperative agreements. A detailed Concept Plan for Baptist Road is intended to function as a development guide for both public and private interest to reserve/preserve Rights-of-Way within the corridor and establish a reasonable engineering solution to accommodate future traffic over the next 20 year period.

The following work elements have been accomplished in the preparation of the Baptist Road Concept Plan:

A. Data Collection and Mapping:

Pre-design data was obtained from the El Paso County, Town of Monument, utilities, Colorado Department of Transportation and other public and private entities as appropriate. This included existing information related to storm drainage, utilities, rights-of-way, ownership, mapping, hydrology and floodplain information, existing traffic counts and projects, master plans for future development in the area and plans for bike route and trails. Field survey was required from which mapping of the project area was prepared in electronic format suitable for AutoCAD processing at the scale of 1" = 100’ with a 2-foot contour interval. Additional information such as survey control monument records, existing plats and ownership’s was furnished by El Paso County.

B. Survey Check, Comment Review and Phasing Analysis:

Upon receipt of field survey data and AutoCADD base maps from El Paso County, several survey checks and extensions of base date were required to address various issues such as access points, rear lot line topography and changes in existing utilities.

Upon review of the Concept Plan by El Paso County, Town of Monument and the Baptist Road Task Force, there will be a need to respond to comments received.

The Concept Plan identifies proposed improvements that may be implemented and functioning within a time period of 20 years. Due to the cost of constructing the "20-year" facility, several interim improvements may be made to accommodate the phased build-out of adjacent developments and relief of traffic congestion on a near-term basis. A brief analysis has been made of the Baptist Road Corridor which attempts to identify and prioritize interim improvements which may be needed at various time intervals during the 20-year project implementation period.

C. On-Site Inspection and Facility Inventory:

An on-site inspection of the project area was conducted with key team members to become familiar with project existing conditions and view important elements in the design concept such as drainage crossing, railroad crossing, access points, utilities, fence lines and geometric constraints.

D. Design Criteria Review:

Coordination was made with El Paso County, Town of Monument, Colorado Department of Transportation and other appropriate entities to establish pertinent project design criteria which will serve as the basis for the Concept Plan to include:

1. Geometric Design Type
2. Typical Section (7 Laneage) and Right-of-Way
3. Design Speed
4. Structural Requirements (Bridges and Culverts)
5. Hydrologic/Hydraulic Requirements
6. Access and intersection requirements
7. Traffic Control devices
8. Fencing
9. Lighting
10. Landscaping and Irrigation

E. Concept Plan Preparation:

A Concept Plan was prepared showing the "20-year" improvement to Baptist Road from Mitchell Avenue (extended) on the west and Tari Drive on the east to include the following:

1. Plan Documents:

2. Concept Design Report:

F. Concept Plan Presentation:

After reviewing the Concept Plan with the District, three (3) presentations were made to the following entities:

1. El Paso County
2. Town of Monument
3. Baptist Road Task Force

G. Exclusions:

The following items are specifically excluded from the scope of work:

SECTION 2: Corridor Issues and Conditions

Several traffic impact studies have been prepared for the various land development projects that have been proposed adjacent to the 3 mile section of Baptist Road from proposed Mitchell Avenue Extension to Tari Drive to include the following:

In addition to these development reports, the Colorado Department of Transportation prepared an I-25 Corridor Study in December 1982, which included traffic projections for low, moderate and high growth scenarios.

Although most of these studies were prepared for a specific proposed land development project, they do attempt to forecast the potential increase in traffic volume on Baptist Road as the corridor is developed.

Figure #1, Future Traffic and Access Plan shows the estimated existing average daily traffic (ADT) both east and west of I-25 at 4,000 and 2,800 vehicles per day respectively. Baptist Road, as an existing 2 lane roadway, should have adequate capacity to handle this existing traffic. However, due to the peak hour traffic volumes and closeness of access points in the vicinity of the I-25 ramps, a certain amount of traffic congestion is currently being experienced in the vicinity of I-25. Part of the observed cause for this periodic congestion includes an increasing number of vehicles using the Baptist Road/I-25 Interchange as a diversion from the Highway 105/I-25 Interchange located approximately 2 1/2 miles north of Baptist Road for destination in the Town of Monument and Woodmoor.

Future traffic which may result from land developments occurring over the next 20 years could approximate the following ADT volumes as shown on Figure #1:

These future volume were obtained from various traffic studies which offered differing values for identical sections of roadways. No attempt was made in this Concept Plan to reconcile these differences and generally the larger of any future traffic volume is shown.

As traffic volumes increase on Baptist Road, the capacity of the existing 2 lane roadway will be exceeded. This will cause traffic delays, congestion and increased safety problems for the traveling public. The number of access points and turning movements on Baptist Road has a direct correlation to roadway capacity, traffic delays, congestion and safety. Based on future major thoroughfare plans, development plans and existing access requirements, a Baptist Road Access Plan is shown on Figure #1 identifies the following future points of access:

In summary, the proposed access plan on Figure #1 includes the following:

The Baptist Road Corridor has many existing and proposed conditions which affect the development of Baptist Road as a future major arterial (4/6 lane) thoroughfare. The development constraints incorporated into this Concept Plan include the following:

A. Geometric Constraints:

1. Existing access points and several established proposed intersection location of Mitchell Avenue Extended and Jackson Creek Parkway control to a large extent the horizontal and vertical profile of Baptist Road.
2. The existing AT & SF railroad crossing just west of the Old Denver Highway establishes the horizontal location of Baptist Road. A future grade separation is proposed without any adjustment of the railroad tracks. Coordination with the railroad could lead to cost savings if the tracks could be lowered or relocated to a more desirable location and elevation.
3. Horizontal alignment of Baptist Road is somewhat controlled by existing development to include established County subdivisions such as Chaparral Hills, Donala/Gleneagle and Kingswood.
4. Existing development and clearance requirements of Baptist Road over I-25, requires a bridge widening on the south side of the existing structure without lowering the grade of I-25 mainline.
5. The new bridge over I-25 accommodates a future widening of the Interstate roadway to 6 lanes.
6. The alignment and grade of Baptist Road is currently being modified at Tari Drive in conjunction with the development of Ridge at Fox Run.

B. Right-of-Way (ROW) Constraints

1. The existing ROW of Baptist Road vanes from 60 feet in width for most of the 3 mile concept plan length, to 100 feet in the vicinity of I-25 to 90 feet adjacent to Gleneagle to 120 feet at Tari Drive at the east study terminus.
2. Several access connecting/frontage roads are proposal at Total Gas Station, Brookhant’s Store, Chaparral Hills and Taxi Drive. Additional ROW will be required for both mainline and access/frontage road construction.
3. Table No. 1, Approximation of Additional Right-of-Way Requirements, shows the estimated average of ROW required for the development of a 4/6 lane arterial roadway with a raised or depressed center median and additional access/frontage roads.

C. Drainage Constraints

Several major drainageways crossing Baptist Road include Monument Creek west of I-25, Jackson Creek east of I-25 and Black Forest drainageway through Kingswood and Gleneagle subdivisions. The existing bridge at Monument Creek could accommodate a collector roadway. If Baptist Road is improved to arterial street standards, a bridge widening or new bridge will be required. The future structure for Jackson Creek is proposed as a twin 10, x 10’ reinforced box culvert. The Black Forest Drainage Basin Planning Study was identified, a proposed 28 acre-foot detention pond on the north side of Baptist Road in the Kingswood subdivision. Each of these major drainageways and numerous smaller cross culverts have been included in this Concept Plan.

D. Utility Constraints

Several existing utilities to include Mountain View Electric, US West and Peoples Natural Gas are located in the corridor. Several proposed sanitary sewer crossings of Baptist Road are located at future Beacon Lite west of I-25 (Monument Creek Collector) and at future Jackson Creek Parkway (Jackson Creek Collector). The Jackson Creek Collector sanitary sewer is proposed to be located within the proposed ROW of Baptist Road under the westbound shoulder of the arterial roadway section from Jackson Creek Parkway to approximately 2000 feet east of Leather Chaps Road. It will be necessary to accommodate other utilities serving the Triview Metropolitan District and Forest Lakes Metropolitan District within the Baptist Road ROW in the future.

Based on information provided by the Baptist Road Task Force, coordination with El Paso County Department of Transportation and review of numerous previously prepared traffic impact studies, the Baptist Road Concept Plan was prepare on the following design criteria:

As shown on the Typical Section Sheet of the attached Concept Plan, both a depressed and raised median sections were incorporated into the concept design. The raised median section with curb and gutter and auxiliary turn lanes was used in the vicinity of I-25, from proposed Beacon Lite on the west to Jackson Creek Parkway on the east. This section was deemed appropriate for the new bridge crossing over I-25, channeled intersections with I-25 ramps and inclusions of additional auxiliary lanes for turning movements and access drives in the area of highest projected traffic volumes.

A depressed median section is proposed from future Mitchell Avenue Extension to future Beacon Lite west of I-25 and from Jackson Creek Parkway to Tari Drive east of I-25.

The raised median section has a 2-12’ driving lanes each direction, a 28’ median to include Type 2 (section B) curb and gutter, added lanes for left and right turns, attached or detached 5’ sidewalk and 3:1 maximum side slopes.

The depressed median section has 2-12’ driving lanes in each direction, an 18’ median, 4’ inside shoulder (next to median), 6’ outside shoulder, detached 5’ sidewalk with 6’ separation slope of 4:1 and 3:1 maximum side slopes.

A normal right-of-way width of 120’ was applied with variation incorporated with respect to frontage road requirements, internal pedestrian facilities in Triview Metropolitan District and horizontal geometry considerations.

The pavement section was assumed to be 10" of full depth, hot bituminous pavement.

A 60 mile per hour speed was used for the entire corridor except in the 1200’ segment of Baptist Road crossing over I-25. The vertical curve applied to this new bridge crossing will accommodate a 50 mile per hour design speed (increase over the existing approximate 40 to 45 mile per hour design speed) and allow for reasonable intersection and grade modifications to the existing I-25 ramps. Posted speeds are normally 5 to 10 miles per hour less than design speeds.

Maximum grade is 10% at the east end of the corridor study area which is currently being constructed in conjunction with the Ridge at Fox Run Development. Minimum grade is 0.7% in the vicinity of Jackson Creek.

Maximum degree of horizontal curvature is 30 51’26". There are 3 angle point breaks in the horizontal alignment with a maximum deflection angle of 10 34’26".

Left turn lanes will be provided at all full turning movements, signalized intersections. Double left turns should be provided when the peak hour left turn demand is over 300vph. Double left turns are projected for the following intersections:

Right turn lanes are provided at all street intersection locations. Right turn acceleration lanes onto Baptist Road have been provided through the I-25 interchange raised median section. Acceleration lanes at other intersections may be considered optional.

The proposed bridge structures over Monument Creek, AT & SF Railroad and I-25 will have a design loading criteria of HS-25-44. Each bridge will include sidewalks, crash tested bridge rail and AASHTO criteria for foundation and superstructure design.

Implementation of all roadway improvements proposed in this Baptist Road Concept Plan will be a massive, high cost undertaking. These improvements, however, can be phased and completed as traffic conditions warrant and as funding becomes available. An attempt has been made to identify various improvement projects which could be implemented over a period of 20 years to include potential "triggering" events which could warrant the proposed improvements. The Baptist Road Infrastructure Development Phasing is divided into 2 categories of proposed projects. The first category are either current or programed projects that will be undertaken by specific entities to include El Paso County, Ridge at Fox Run and the Triview Metropolitan District. A second category of proposed projects are anticipated to be accomplished over a period of 20 years with no designated sponsor or lead entity.

As shown on Figure #2, Infrastructure Development Phasing, there are four (4) specific projects which are either currently under construction or are programmed to be undertaken in the relatively near future.

1. Baptist Road/Tari Drive improvement is currently under construction by Ridge at Fox Run in conjunction with El Paso County to provide a 2 lane roadway with improved grades which will serve as a development entryway on the "ultimate" Baptist Road alignment. Baptist Road is programmed to be extended east to Rollercoaster Road.
2. Baptist Road/Leather Chaps intersection improvement which is currently under design for the Triview Metropolitan District and is scheduled for construction in 1997. This project will serve as an entryway into Jackson Creek Land Company, Phase 1 Residential Development on the north side of Baptist Road.
3. Baptist Road/AT & SF Railroad crossing lights and gate improvements sponsored by El Paso County will enhance the safety of the existing at grade railroad track crossing. This is a follow-on project to the new bridge crossing Monument Creek which was completed by the County in 1994.
4. Mitchell Avenue Extension is an improvement project programmed by El Paso County to be implemented using federal funds in 1998. Planning for this project is underway and several community meetings have been held to identify and refine the project purpose, scope and schedule.

In reviewing various traffic impact studies previously prepared for several developments within the corridor, a number of Baptist Road improvement projects have been identified which would be implemented as development occurs. The following is a breakdown of potential future projects which are deemed necessary over the next 20 years and are numbered consecutively as a continuation from programmed as shown on Figure #2:

5. Total Gas/Brookhart’s Access Modification and Roadway Improvements:

The I-25 interchange with Baptist Road is the focal point for the vast majority of travel demand in the corridor. To accommodate this demand and current traffic and safety condition on Baptist Road in the vicinity of the I-25 ramps, several modifications appear warranted at this time to include the following improvements:

a. Modification to the Total Gas Station access on the west side of I-25 would restrict the existing drive entrance to the right-in/right-out and reduce turning movement conflicts in the immediate vicinity of the I-25 ramp intersection. An additional access drive would be provided approximately 600’ west of the existing access location which would allow left turns on and off of Baptist Road. Through coordination with the owner of Total Gas, adjacent property owners and local jursidictions, this next access drive could be located at the proposed intersection for the Rampart/Forest Lakes entryway. In cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation the west I-25 ramp intersection with Baptist Road could also be improved to provide larger radius turning areas and a short left turn bay on Baptist Road for westbound traffic to southbound I-25 ramp.

b. A relocation of Struthers Frontage Road and existing access to Brookhart’s Store to a new intersection and drive entrance approximately 700’ east of the existing I-25 ramp and frontage road would reduce turning movement conflicts in the immediate vicinity of the I-25 ramp intersection. Through coordination with the owner of Brookhart’s Store, adjacent property owners and local/state jurisdictions, this new frontage road/access drive could be located at the proposed intersection for the Forest Lakes Business Park on the south side of Baptist Road.

In cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation, the east I-25 ramp intersection with Baptist Road could be improved to align both the exit and the on ramps and provide a short left turn bay on Baptist Road for east bound traffic to northbound I-25 on-ramps.

c. The vertical alignment on Baptist Road could be modified to improve sight distance and design speed by lowering the grade approximately 400’ east of the existing Struthers Frontage Road intersection.

d. No modification to the existing Baptist Road bridge over I-25 would be made with these series of improvements. Signalization of both the east and west I-25 ramp intersection could be considered at the time.

Trigging Event: Current traffic congestion and safety condition warrant initiation of this series of improvements. These conditions will probably worsen during the period required to implement these improvements. From previous traffic studies it is assumed that these improvements could accommodate an ADT traffic volume of 14,600 vehicles on Baptist Road.

Estimated Construction Cost: $1,300,000.00

Special Note: All construction cost estimates presented in this Concept Plan Report are in current 1996 dollar values and do not include any estimated cost for right-of-way, planning, engineering, administration, legal or financing. Also, no assumptions have been made with respect to project implementation responsibility.

6. Add Turn Lanes at Baptist Road/Gleneagle Intersection

Existing traffic on Baptist Road east of I-25 is estimated at 4,000 vehicles per day. Approximately 2/3 of this traffic is generated by the Gleneagle development which uses Gleneagle Drive. To provide improved safety and capacity of the intersection of Baptist Road and Gleneagle Drive, both right and left turn lanes could be added by widening Baptist Road to the north and accommodating existing drainage patterns and utilities in the vicinity of the intersection.

Trigging Event: Additional development in Gleneagle and/or in new development along Baptist Road will increase the congestion and safety problems at this intersection.

Estimated Costs: $50,000.00 without Signalization

7. Regrade Baptist Road East and West of Leather Chaps:

The current average driving speed on Baptist Road appears to be greater than 50 miles per hour. To better accommodate this apparent desired operating speed and improve the safety on Baptist Road, the adverse grade and sight distance conditions adjacent to the Chaparral Hills and Donalla subdivision both east and west of Leather Chaps Road should be modified.

Trigging Event: Current adverse condition which could be modified as soon as funding is made available.

Estimated Costs: $65,000.00

8. Widen Baptist Road to Three (3) Lanes East of I-25 (I-25 east ramp intersection to Gleneagle Drive):

Assuming that the proposed project #5 mentioned earlier in the vicinity of I-25, Total Gas Station and Brookhart’s Store is accomplished, the subsequent phase of improving traffic safety and capacity on Baptist Road would be to widen the segment between I-25 and Glaneagle Drive to 3 lanes. This would facilitate left turn movements at approved access points along Baptist Road.

Trigging Event: Additional development in the Baptist Road corridor causing ADT volumes on Baptist Road to approach 14,600.

Estimated Cost: $ 1,200.000.00 to include drainage improvements at Jackson Creek and Gleneagle Drive.

9. Widen Baptist Road to 4/6 Lanes (Old Denver Highway to Gleneagle Drive) with New Bridge over I-25.

As development occurs adjacent to Baptist Road in Forest Lakes and Triview Metropolitan Districts, roadway improvements will be required to accommodate increased traffic projected to be in the range of 35,000 to 40,800 vehicles per day. These improvements will include a new bridge over I-25, large enough to accommodate double left turns at the ramp intersections and a widening of I-25 mainline to 6 lanes. It is assumed at this time all access points on Baptist Road have been identified and internal development roads are in the process of being constructed.

Trigging Event: Traffic volumes on Baptist Road exceed 14,600 vehicles per day.

Estimated Cost: $5,000,000.00 (includes regarding and paving Baptist Road approaches to new bridge over I-25 and I-25 ramps to accommodate grade changes on Baptist Road).

10. Widen Baptist Road to 4 Lanes (Gleneagle to Tari Drive):

As development occurs adjacent to Baptist Road and the eastern extension of Baptist Road is made to Rollercoaster Road, a widening to 4 lanes between (Gleneagle Drive and Tari Drive will be required. The improvement will coincide and be an expansion of the current project of alignment/grade modification being constructed for the development entryway into Ridge at Fox Run.

Trigging Event: ADT traffic volume on Baptist Road exceed 12,000 east of Gleneagle Drive.

Estimated Cost: $560,000.00

11. Widen Baptist Road to 4 lanes (Mitchell Avenue Extension to Old Denver Highway) with Grade Separation Over AT & SF Railroad and New Bridge Over Monument Creek.

Assuming Mitchell Avenue is extended to Baptist Road and major development occurs in Forest Lakes, Baptist Road west of Old Denver Highway will become a major arterial thoroughfare with an estimated ADT of 10,000. This will necessitate the widening of Baptist Road to 4 lanes and will require a grade separation on the AT & SF Railroad. Raising the grade of Baptist Road to go over the railroad will require a new bridge over Monument Creek.

Trigging Event: Traffic volumes on Baptist Road approach 10,000 vehicles per day west of Old Denver Highway.

Estimated Cost: $2,500,000

Implementation of the proposed improvements to Baptist Road as identified in this Concept Plan will require fill involvement and cooperation between a multitude of entities to include the following:

Additional constructability issues which need to be addressed but are not included in this Concept Plan include the following:

It is apparent that this Concept Plan identifies massive improvements to accommodate the anticipated growth and development in the Baptist Road corridor. El Paso County has had considerable experience in meeting the need of similar roadway corridors such as Powers Boulevard and Woodmen Road. Phased over a period of 20 years and with the support and guidance of the Baptist Road Task Force, the Baptist Road Concept Plan will form the framework of meeting the future transportation needs of the Baptist Road corridor.

As noted previously, all construction cost estimates presented in this Concept Plan are in current 1996 dollar values and do not have any estimated costs for right-of-way, planning, engineering, administration, legal and financing. The cost estimates for various projects phased over a 20-year period include some over lapping of construction items which would increase the aggregate cost of all projects over the estimated amount of all improvements accomplished at one-time (say over a period of 3 years versus 20 years).

Considering the entire Concept Plan as one integrated project, Table No. 2 shows breakdown an estimated construction cost for the total project.

Table No.2- Summary of Estimated Quantities and Construction Costs