Three main points.
One - This tollway idea is for the express purpose of spurring more suburban sprawl to the west of Arvada proper, the Candelas development.
Two - The establishment elites in Arvada and Jefferson County government are far more interested in pleasing business and residential developers (more tax revenue and campaign contributions) than they are in the real safety issues associated with plutonium in the area from the former Rocky Flats nuclear weapons manufacturing factory.
Three - It is simple common sense: a tollway will drive toll-avoiding traffic onto already crowded arterials Wadsworth and Sheridan. Far from alleviating traffic flowing through Arvada, the tollway will exacerbate the problem (if it is a problem).
Remember, this tollway segment will not complete the metro Denver beltway -- it does not connect up with either the Northwest Parkway or C-470.
... Dave Chandler, an Arvada resident who has fought against the Jefferson Parkway and its predecessor projects for decades, said he's not worried about work on the parkway starting anytime soon. He said it's still not clear to him how the highway builders are going to pay for the road and, more importantly, he doesn't see a need for it."Here we are 20 years later and there's no tollway out there," Chandler said. "Because ultimately there just isn't any demand."
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