A new alternative for a road to connect The Meadows in Castle Rock to U.S. Highway 85 and Interstate 25 has been developed.

Planning for the road, known as the North Meadows Extension, has been ongoing for years. The new alternative would place an at-grade intersection instead of an interchange where the road will cross U.S. Highway 85. The road would extend from the current end of North Meadows Drive, cross U.S. 85 and connect to a new interchange with I-25 via Atrium Drive.

Input on the new alternative will be gathered and the status of the project’s funding discussed at an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at Castle View High School, 5254 N. Meadows Drive, Castle Rock. The public also can comment on the possibility of restricting access on Happy Canyon Road west of I-25 at the meeting, which all people in and around Castle Rock are invited to attend.

The North Meadows Extension is needed to provide a second northern access between The Meadows and U.S. 85 and I-25; relieve traffic congestion along Meadows Parkway at the intersection with U.S. 85 and the I-25 Meadows/Founders Parkway interchange; and to improve the function and safety of I-25, which have been compromised by backups due to over-capacity on-ramps and off-ramps at the Meadows/Founders Parkway interchange.

The project is part of the Town of Castle Rock’s three-pronged, $30 million Transportation Action Plan bond issue, which 75 percent of Castle Rock voters approved in 2005.

Several hurdles still must be cleared before construction on the North Meadows Extension begins – likely in 2010 or 2011.

An at-grade crossing at U.S. 85 would require the Union Pacific railroad tracks west of the highway to be moved farther west to make room for the road. Relocation of the tracks requires consent from the railroad, for which a request is pending.

In addition, a funding plan for the project, expected to cost about $50 million, still must be finalized.

One possible scenario that will be presented would include a contribution from Castle Pines Village.

The Castle Pines Village Metro District and Castle Pines Village Homeowners Association are interested in restricting access to Happy Canyon Road.

Castle Pines Village realizes a connection between U.S. 85 and I-25 would be lost if access was restricted. Therefore, they wish to discuss participating financially toward a replacement connection such as the North Meadows Extension.

The Douglas County Commissioners would need to act on any access changes on Happy Canyon Road, which is a county road.

Informational handouts and comment cards for the North Meadows Extension and Happy Canyon Road will be available at the open house and on CRgov.com after April 2. Click the TAP Update icon on the right side of the page, then follow the link to the North Meadows Extension project page to download the documents.

Questions about the North Meadows Extension can be directed to Castle Rock Assistant Public Works Director Maria Hagen, 720-733-2472 or .