WHILE INTERSTATE 70 IS SHUT DOWN DUE TO MUDSLIDES... THE BACKCOUNTRY MOUNTAIN ROAD CALLED COTTONWOOD PASS IS GETTING A SURGE OF CRUCIAL TRAFFIC. NOW... EAGLE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE LOOKING AT PLANS TO IMPROVE COTTONWOOD PASS AS WELL AS BETTER WAYS TO RESPOND TO LONG CLOSURES ON I-70. ALL TOLD... THE POTENTIAL WORK ON COTTONWOOD PASS COULD COST UP TO 15-MILLION DOLLARS.
WE'RE TALKING LIVE WITH EAGLE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MATT SCHERR.
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-- Commissioners identified six areas ready for substantial improvements that would allow Cottonwood Pass to be widened and increase line of sight for drivers. This would allow the road to more safely endure traffic.
-- The projects vary in scope and cost; together, all six projects would cost an estimated $10-15 million.
--Even if all of the proposed projects were completed, the road would still not be considered a permanent alternative route to I-70. Commissioner Harris said the work would make Cottonwood Pass a safe two-lane county road.
--Communications should be improved between Incident Command structure and local organizations, as well as among affected counties and first responders, was identified as a priority