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A Tribute to Bill & Tom

Thursday, February 15 at 3:53 PM

This Speakout has not been edited

By Jim Parker, Aurora

Someone recently suggested that a portion of T-Rex be named in honor of Governor Bill Owens for his support and for providing the mechanism for it’s financing, and I would agree. I would, however, like to include some kudos for the man who really made it happen: businessman, engineer, and CDOT Director Tom Norton.

After more than 25 years of neglect, Tom Norton has presided over more important transportation projects than anyone since Berthoud, Loveland and Palmer brought railroads to Colorado!

In addition to T-REX which was the crown jewel, I have compiled a list of projects of which I am aware that we now take for granted. These projects have helped to clear the air by moving traffic, reduced the tragic carnage on our roadways, and have helped to improve the quality of life for all Coloradans. They are as follows:

1 The widening of I-25 from C-470 south to Happy Canyon and now down to Castle Rock.

2. The widening to six lanes of Parker Road from I-225 south through Parker to the Elizabeth/Franktown areas, eliminating the necessity for those “Pray for Me-I Drive 83” bumper stickers! And the elimination of I-225-Parker Rd-Peoria bottleneck which was the worst in the whole S.E. Area

3. The completion of the widening of I-70 from Tower Rd in Aurora on the east to Colorado 58 in Golden on the West.

4. The reconfiguration of the “mousetrap” and Washington St. interchange at I-25 & I-70

5. The construction of a new interchange at the confluence of I-25, I-76, I-270 and the Boulder Turnpike replacing one of the most dangerous places to drive in the entire United States. The old I-76 on-ramp was particularly dangerous. The North I-25 parking lot is no more!!

6. The widening of US 36 (Turnpike) from I-25 through Broomfield

7. The widening of I-25 from the Boulder Turnpike to Colorado 119 in Longmont

8. The completion of four lanes on US 34 from Loveland through Greeley to Kersey.

9. The widening to four lanes of US 285 from Colorado 470 to Bailey

10. The repaving of I-76 east through Fort Morgan

11. The repaving of I-70 from Tower Road east through Deer Trail and beyond

12. The “little T-Rex” project which widened and improved I-25 from Academy Blvd on the North to Circle Drive on the south in Colorado Springs

13. The reconstruction of Wolf creek Pass in southwest Colorado

14. The widening to four lanes of US 50 from Montrose to Grand Junction

15. The reconstruction and widening of the road over Berthoud Pass

16. The construction of an interchange connecting C-470 with US 6 (Sixth Ave) in Golden, and the widening of C-470 from Hampden Ave to I-70

I don’t believe any past state highway department director has accomplished more. He has endured the wrath and indignation of rabid environmentalists and NIMBY’s of every stripe, and has just kept on doing what he was hired to do. Thanks again Tom for your service to Colorado.

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