Study Intent and Description

The Northern Colorado Truck Mobility/SH 14 Relocation Study is a result of Ballot Initiative 200 that was passed in November 1999. The ballot initiative identifies three distinct work elements that will be addressed in this study. They include:

• Non-Route Based Strategies -Developing strategies to encourage through truck traffic to use the existing Interstate System (I-25 and I-80). Recommendations will be developed with comprehensive involvement with the trucking industry and may include marketing strategies and action plans.
• Alternate Routes -Determining an alternate truck route at least two miles north of the City of Fort Collins Growth Management Area (GMA). The northern boundary of the GMA is currently located at Douglas Road. The southernmost alternate route that can be considered as part of the study is County Road 58.
• Funding and Next Steps -Develop funding strategies for study recommendations and determine the next steps. Funding may include a combination of regional, state, Federal, and innovative sources.

Study Objectives

The overall objectives of the Northern Colorado Truck Mobility/SH 14 Relocation Study are to:

• Balance trucking industry needs with the long-term growth and development of the region.
• Develop solutions through a fair and open process.
• Provide collaborative stakeholder and agency involvement to develop and support study goals and recommendations.

Truck route issues have been part of Fort Collins transportation planning efforts for over thirty years. Many attempts have been made to document, analyze, and plan for truck-related issues within the city. The goal of these efforts has generally been the same over the years: allow for the safe and efficient movement of long-haul truck traffic through the region while minimizing its impact on residential and commercial land uses. Solutions and alternatives have been presented time and again, amid controversy and mixed consensus.

This paper summarizes the various planning efforts undertaken since the 1960’s. Dates, issues, recommendations, key figures, and results are provided for each study. The intent is to clearly present the chronology of these studies to provide a historical perspective regarding this controversial issue. Most of these studies are available in Fort Collins library archives.

Chronological Bibliography of Truck and Corridor Related Planning Studies

Planning Study Summaries

Date: 1966-1977
Study: Fort Collins Expressway Final Environmental Statement
By: Federal Highway Administration and Colorado Division of Highways

Date: 1979-1980
Study: The Fort Collins Parkway

Date: 1985
Study: The City of Fort Collins Northeast Transportation Study

Date: 1992
Study: Northeast Area Transportation Study (NEATS)

Date: 1994-1995
Study: US 287/SH 14 Access Control Plan (City of Fort Collins)
Study: US 287/SH 14 Corridor Improvement Plan
Study: Fort Collins Truck Issues Final Report

Date: 1995-1996
Study: Triangle Project (Colorado Department of Transportation)

Date: 1998
Study: Fort Collins Northeast Truck Route Feasibility Study

Date: 1998-1999
Study: Northeast Fort Collins Truck Route Project

Date: November 1999
Study: Ballot Initiative 200

Date: 2000
Study: US 287/SH 14 Access Management Plan

Date: 2000
Study: Fort Collins Truck Bypass Project

Date: 2000-2001- On going Study
Study: US 287 from SH1 to LaPorte Bypass Environmental Assessment

Date: 2000-2001- On going Study
Study: Northern Colorado Truck Mobility/SH 14 Relocation Study