This article was published in the print version of the Denver Post's YourHub.com for Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Westminster on Thursday, February 24, 2011.
UPDATE!
Two news reports that show how our Jefferson County Board of Commissioners engages in cronyism and corporate/special interest welfare. The commissioners sure know how to take care of themselves and their friends ... with our tax dollars.It is conflict of interest ("a conflict between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a position of trust"); it is political corruption ("impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle").
It looks like "pay-offs" are business as usual for our county commissioners.
Not surprisingly, the Jefferson Economic Council supports the beltway boondoggle discussed in my original article below.
And this at a time when these commissioners are distressed about "flat revenues".
Commissioner Feathered Nest of Future Employer | Canyon Courier - February 15, 2011Hartman Named Director of Diversion Services | Columbine Courier - February 15, 2011
The latest push by local government empire builders to construct a tollway west of Arvada contains a 'deal' proposing that Boulder and Golden adopt a position of "neutrality" towards the project in exchange for certain 'considerations'.
The Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority's 'deal' is an open space purchase for Boulder -- and for Golden a few crumbs of planning assistance (no construction funding) for future intersection improvements on highways U.S. 6 and SH93 -- improvements that are desirable whether or not a toll road is ever built.
Now a 'good deal' would involve affected parties in a negotiation with give-and-take on both sides to either get construction started; and/or mitigate the negative impacts of such a tollway; and/or to even drop an idea that has become unfeasible. On the other hand, a 'pay-off' is a deal offered by one side to make the opposing side more or less go away.
And that is what the Parkway Authority's 'deal' really is ... it is a proffered 'pay-off'.
Golden should reject this offer for the same reasons that this whole toll road idea is a bad deal for Arvada: it is an unneeded new road that would increase traffic congestion and it has every probability of becoming a money pit for taxpayers.
First, the Northwest Quadrant Feasibility Study concluded that a 'beltway' link simply wasn't necessary for expediting transportation either locally or regionally -- no matter how satisfying it may be for some to see a nice, pretty circle drawn on a map around the metro area.
Common sense tells us that such a toll road will do the opposite of easing traffic congestion through Arvada. Put it this way: how many Arvadans will pay at least $3.00 for the privilege of driving to shop at the Flat Irons mall? Or round trip, $6.00? Or will even more of us pile onto Wadsworth Blvd. and U.S. 36 to avoid the toll? How many regional drivers will do the same to avoid the toll?
Second, the Parkway Authority is scheming to find private investors to front the money to construct a tollway segment unconnected to either the Northwest Parkway or C-470. Their intent is obvious: build the middle part with expectations that taxpayers will ultimately be compelled to "finish the job" and pay for constructing the two connecting ends.
Hold on to your wallet, folks. This is yet another "public-private partnership" being marketed as a something-for-nothing project -- and it has 'bailout' written all over it.
The best plan for facilitating traffic flows though Arvada -- and that protects Golden's quality of life -- are road enhancements to Indiana and McIntyre. Such upgrades would create a pretty much straight line that could efficiently move traffic from Flat Irons to already existing SH58 and the new, improved on-and-off ramps with I-70 that already connects with C-470.
Greedy developers and old fashioned politicians on the Arvada city council and the Jeffco Board of County Commissioners should stop wasting time and money on an idea that is becoming as antiquated as the Model-T.
With better alternatives available to meet 21st century transportation needs, this tollway pay-off ploy is a really bad deal for Arvada, a bad deal for Golden ... and a bad deal for Jefferson County taxpayers.
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