Lawmakers Vote To Find Solution On I-70
DENVER (CBS4)- A bill mandating a short term solution to the traffic problems on Interstate 70 is making progress in the state Capitol.
It passed the house on Thursday with only 14 opposing votes.
"I think what we're hearing from the legislators is a message," said CDOT spokeswoman Stacey Stegman. "I think that what's happening is that we know that we can't wait for I-70 and other people know it as well."
Supporters claim the Colorado Department of Transportation needs to do something about the heavy traffic on I-70, or the state's tourism could take a hit.
Former state senator and current Summit County Commissioner Dan Gibbs said the push needs to become a priority.
"We need to see improvements on I-70, and not improvements 10, 20, 30 years down the road, but we want to see improvements tomorrow if possible," said Gibbs.
This week, CDOT commissioned a panel to solve congestion at the Twin Tunnels near Idaho Springs. They expect to have some answers by Friday, Feb. 25.
"Tourism is our second leading economic driver for the state of Colorado, and if folks think twice about heading up to the high country to recreate, to go skiing, hiking, fly fishing, hunting, that's going to impact not only our economy in Summit County, but it will impact the whole state's economy," said Gibbs.
