Potential ballot measure and Crystal Valley interchange construction contract top Town Council’s May 21 meeting agenda
A discussion on a potential ballot measure to address police and fire funding needs and a contract for the second construction phase of the Crystal Valley interchange are topics on Town Council’s May 21 agenda. View the full agenda online.
Here is a closer look:
Potential ballot measure discussion — Since 2022, resources have been shifting away from other priorities to allow for the hiring of 28.75 public safety personnel. However, current plateauing resources cannot continue to meet these departments’ staffing needs over the next five years.
Town staff has explored alternative revenue options and proposes implementing additional conservative budgeting measures beginning in 2025 to make available added resources for public safety needs. Beyond these items, staff additionally recommends Council consider placing on the fall 2024 ballot a request for a .2% increase to the Town’s sales tax. This would amount to an additional 20 cents on a $100 purchase and would generate about $3.75 million annually — the bulk of which would allow for the hiring of 40 additional public safety personnel between 2025 and 2029. The increase would also benefit road maintenance, recreation programming and cultural arts in Castle Rock.
A decision on whether to place a question on the ballot will come at a future meeting.
Crystal Valley interchange Package 2 construction contract — The Crystal Valley interchange is the Town’s top transportation priority. The project was originally conceptualized in the late 1980s when the Dawson Ridge subdivision — now known as Dawson Trails — was initially approved.
On Tuesday, Town Council will consider a $74,696,583 construction contract with Kramer North America for the Crystal Valley Parkway and Interstate 25 interchange Package 2. The funding request also includes a 5% Town-managed contingency, for a total authorization of $78,431,413. The entire project cost, which includes design, right of way acquisition and construction, is $145.2 million. The funding resources for the project include:
- $50 million from the Dawson Trails developer
- $24 million from Douglas County for the interchange, plus $11 million for the County’s portion of Dawson Trails Boulevard
- $8.5 million grant from the Denver Regional Council of Governments
- $5.4 million BUILD grant from the United States Department of Transportation
The interchange project is split into two packages. Package 1 construction is underway and includes realignment of the East Frontage Road and a roundabout on Crystal Valley Parkway east of I-25. Package 2 would include a bridge over I-25; a bridge over the BNSF railroad; northbound and southbound interstate on- and off-ramps; extension of Crystal Valley Parkway west of I-25; Dawson Trails Boulevard from Crystal Valley Parkway south to Town limits; and the closure of the West Frontage Road from Yucca Hills Road to Tomah Road.
If the Package 2 construction contract is approved, work on the second phase of the interchange project is expected to begin in summer 2024 with project completion anticipated in 2027.
For more information about the interchange or to sign up for project updates, visit CRgov.com/CVI.
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