New Pinewood Resident Access Policy: Highway 36

UPDATE: NEW ACCESS TIMES BEGINNING OCTOBER 20TH:

Estes to Pinewood Springs access times are working well but there has been significant impact on work progress having so many access times between Pinewood Springs and Lyons. Now there will only be one access time per day at NOON going from Pinewood Springs to Lyons.

CDOT is implementing a new access plan for residents of Pinewood Springs, Big Elk Meadows and residents on and above Longmont Dam Road.. There will be daytime access windows where residents (with access passes and proof of residency) will be able to travel to and from Pinewood during the day.

RESIDENT ONLY ACCESS

ESTES PARK TO PINEWOOD SPRINGS (Both directions):

Before 7:00 AM (unlimited access for residents only)

9:00 AM

11:00 AM

1:00 PM

3:00 PM

5:00 PM

After 7:00 PM (unlimited access for residents only)

 

PINEWOOD SPRINGS TO LYONS (Both directions):

Before 7:00 AM (unlimited access for residents only)

12:00 PM

After 7:00 PM (unlimited access for residents only)

You will be able to get through the construction zone from both the Estes and the Lyons sides during these times. A pilot car will lead waiting cars both ways during those times. Arrive on time as these will be short windows of time. If you miss one, you’ll have to wait until the next scheduled opening. Residents will still be allowed unlimited access during non-construction times (before 7:00 AM and after 7:00 PM) but security will be tight – read more about that below. Pilot cars will be waiting at the intersections of CR-47 (Estes side)  and CR-71 (Lyons side). Just wait for them to come lead you and the other cars across the construction zone.

CONTRACTOR/UTILITY ACCESS

This window of access may also be used to schedule approved contractors, utility companies, insurance adjusters and other essential vendors. These appointments must be pre-scheduled at least 24-48 hours in advance of the appointment. To schedule a vendor, call the new CDOT hotline or contact CDOT via email.

CDOT HOTLINE: 970-591-0001

CDOT EMAIL: US36FloodRepairs@PublicInfoTeam.com

Call them at least 24 hours in advance of your preferred appointment time. They will coordinate this with you and let you know if it is feasible. This is a coordinated effort that takes time so please plan ahead. Not all appointments will be approved due to construction schedules. Appointments must be made DURING the access windows listed above. No access will be given during other times outside of these windows. Also, be patient if you don’t get a live person on the phone. They will get back to you so please leave a message. Give yourself and this team enough time to try and accommodate your request. Last minute or same day appointments will not be approved.

SCHOOL BUS SERVICE

I’m happy to announce that school bus service to Estes Park will resume its normal schedule in Pinewood Springs! The bus will meet at its regular location in the community at 7:20 AM and will return at the end of the day at 3:50 PM. CDOT and the Guard will allow the bus to take kids to this original pre-flood locations within Pinewood Springs. This is ensure that the kids who remained in the valley get through the construction area safely. This is not an indication that the community is ready to be fully populated as we still have our infrastructure woes to repair.

CHECKPOINTS

These access windows are for Pinewood Springs residents only. Security checkpoints will be tightened and all residents will need to have proof of residency. Please make sure you have your access pass (either Larimer or Boulder Sheriff) and your driver’s license that states your Pinewood address. If your license doesn’t have your Pinewood address then make sure you have a utility bill or some other documentation. If you don’t have these, you will be turned away. We are trying to keep residents in… and the wrong people out. Plus, we don’t want too much traffic on the road. There will continue to be checkpoints in Lyons and we’ve added new checkpoints at CR-47 (Big Elk Road) and the Apple Valley Bridge. We have created a new “Pinewood Access Pass” to quickly differentiate our residents from the rest of Lyons. These passes will be available at the fire station this weekend. Randy Caner is coordinating their distribution. Don’t worry… if you don’t end up with one of these passes but have the proof described above, you’ll get access.

PATIENCE

We’re doing our best to get the best of all worlds….

Access to our homes

Quick completion of the road work

Protecting our homes by keeping the wrong people out

Allowing repair and mitigation work to begin

This means the system may not be perfect, but everyone is doing the best they can. Please be patient as we roll out this new program. If you have concerns, just drop me an email directly (laura@gourmetmediagroup.com) or call the hotline number above. But please, don’t take your frustrations on the road crews. They are just doing their jobs. And we love them for it!

33 Comments

  1. Cathy W.
    Oct 17, 2013

    Can you please clarify how it will work if we are LEAVING Pinewood during one of these escorts? Meeting at CR47 or CR71 (I assume this is Apple Valley) indicates that is when you will come into Pinewood. Can I assume that if you want to leave Pinewood during one of these windows you will then follow the pilot car back out, after they escort people in?

    BTW, thanks! This is great news. We don’t want to abuse it but it is so nice that we will have options. I can’t believe they gave us FIVE windows per day!!! Wow.

    • admin
      Oct 17, 2013

      Same policy applies, Cathy. They will escort cars coming and going during this time.

      • Cathy W.
        Oct 17, 2013

        OK, for example, if I want to leave Pinewood at 1:00 to go through Lyons where do I meet the Pilot Car? Both locations mentioned are outside of Pinewood and for access in. Where do we meet for access out?

        • Friso Schlottau
          Oct 17, 2013

          Hi Cathy,
          It sounds like once the lead-car is in, it would turn around and lead any waiting cars out. That’s typically how it goes. It takes about 10min to get in w/o lead car, so figure that for delay… Best of luck!

          • admin
            Oct 17, 2013

            exactly…. just like construction zones on highways.

    • John L Wright
      Oct 17, 2013

      This is an outstanding plan. Thank you ( CDOT and Laura ) very much. – – jwrit

  2. Carol Devenir
    Oct 17, 2013

    Thank you so much, Laura! So many people are working hard to help us all! Your coordination efforts are invaluable.

    I just hope you meant to type Oct 18 for this program to start, not Dec. 18, right?!

    Carol

    • admin
      Oct 17, 2013

      I just corrected that…. too little sleep and fingers moving too fast on the keyboard! ;-)

  3. Bryan Fabel
    Oct 17, 2013

    Just so I’m clear. This means that we can travel during the windows to and from Estes and to and from Lyons?

  4. Friso Schlottau
    Oct 17, 2013

    Hey Laura,

    This is fantastic news! Feedback to CDOT (I will contact them directly also) I would argue that even one or two mid-day entries would make the PWS situation entirely workable, if that allows he crews to work more continuously and have them complete sooner. Whether we like it or not, every time we go through we either obstruct, or otherwise impact the work the amazing Guard and CDOT crews are doing. A little bit of planning today already accomplishes 90% of what one would need.

    Now’ I’m just curious to see how Warren can mis-portray this as a negative thing…

    • Amy Slaughter
      Oct 17, 2013

      This is fantastic news and I echo the comment about the number of access times. If they need to limit these instead of basically every odd hour during their work schedule then so be it. It is wonderful to have any window during the day – never expected to get 5!

      Thanks Laura, CDOT, NG, etc…..the list goes on I am sure.

      • admin
        Oct 17, 2013

        We’re trying to start getting contractors in here too… FEMA, insurance, contractors, volunteers. So, many windows help with that… and they also help keep long lines of cars from forming. But it’s always subject to change… especially if it doesn’t work well.

  5. Greg Campbell
    Oct 17, 2013

    Thanks for the continued updates. Any news on the access to the end of Kiowa or Cree Ct?

    • admin
      Oct 17, 2013

      I will just say… it’s in the works! Official update coming this weekend after a meeting w/ the road/water board.

  6. Deborah Trout
    Oct 17, 2013

    Things DO get better!!

  7. Randy Spencer
    Oct 17, 2013

    This is the report I have been waiting for !!!! I want to say Thank You so very much to all of you who have put all the effort into getting us current information.

  8. Marc
    Oct 17, 2013

    Awesome. Great news. Looking forward to getting back to our mountains!

  9. Aimee
    Oct 18, 2013

    Wonderful news.

    Two questions:

    1. I am flying in from Gabon and arrive at DIA at 9:30pm on Monday the 21st; will I be allowed to drive up that night or will I need to wait until the next morning to access Pinewood so that I can get a pass, even though I will have my ID and utility bill with me?

    2. Will I still be able to get the special Pinewood Pass next Tuesday morning (preferably on my way to get some cherry pie… :) ), or should my house-sitter, Sage, pick it up for me at the fire station this weekend, and if so what documentation will she need to bring on my behalf?

    Thanks for all the updates!

    • admin
      Oct 18, 2013

      Hi Aimee… I’ve asked Randy Caner to respond to your 2nd question. Stay tuned for that. But you should be fine with your ID and utility bill. Welcome home!!

    • Randy Caner
      Oct 18, 2013

      Hi Aimee,
      I will be at the fire station issuing passes Saturday. Also I live right behind the Cherry company. If someone has a special need you can come down and contact me that way. I will also be at the 3 community meetings each week at the church fellowship hall (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 9:00AM) and can assign them following the meeting that usually breaks up by 10:00 AM. My home phone is 303 823 6161 if none of these will work. Note; If your daughter is a resident of Pinewood Springs, I can issue it to her on your behalf. I hope this helps.

      • Aimee
        Oct 19, 2013

        Thanks for the info, Randy. I will stop by one of the meetings, or see you at the B&B once I’m back. It will be nice to meet you- my parents have been by the B&B a few times and met your wife, Mary.

        P.S. Sage is my friend, and only a few years younger than me, but if I ever do have a daughter, I’d love her to grow up to be like her! :)

        • Randy Caner
          Oct 19, 2013

          I will have some passes with me at the PS meetings at the PS Community church held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays after the meeting which is at 9:00AM on those days.
          Regards

    • Paul Sanders
      Oct 18, 2013

      Aimee,
      When I returned to Pinewood last Sunday night (at about 10:00PM) to retrieve my pickup there was a sheriff manning a checkpoint in Lyons. He was quite reasonable about letting me pass through although at that time the trail through the gap was not paved and a little rough for my motorcycle. However, when I left early Tuesday morning some of the damaged sections had a single lane of pavement and I suspect that there should be no problem getting through next Monday night. Restrictions to passage through the gap are only during construction hours, not at night as long as you can show your residency docs.
      Dad

  10. admin
    Oct 18, 2013

    Would someone please go pick up Warren’s wife? ;-)

  11. Kate and Larry Kemmer
    Oct 18, 2013

    Kate was there at 9am for the PWS to Estes path and they say they changed it to even hours from the odd hours 10,12,2,4. No idea what the PWS to Lyons hours are at this time. 9:04am

    • admin
      Oct 18, 2013

      Thank you for this…. I’m calling CDOT now to confirm. They didn’t tell me about this change. Sorry for the confusion… ugh

      • Kate Kemmer
        Oct 18, 2013

        CDOT guy at the checkpoint claims the error for himself. It is odd except for this one time 10am which has now passed.

  12. Tory BF
    Oct 18, 2013

    Besides the firehouse on Saturday, how do I get an access pass? I spoke with Boulder Sheriff Office of Emergency Management and she had no idea what I was talking about. She’ll get back to me. I will try and get up Sat but can I get up to the Firehouse without a pass?

    • admin
      Oct 18, 2013

      This is a pass we created. Copies will be sent to authorities today. They arrive at the fire house later today. Just have your driver’s license with your Pinewood address on it and you should be fine.

      • Tory
        Oct 18, 2013

        Thank you for the update!

        • David
          Oct 18, 2013

          Thanks, It’s certainly welcome news. We are coming from out of town—first time to try to get to our pinewood home. Are passes issued also down in Lyons. David

          • admin
            Oct 19, 2013

            Not at this time, David. We don’t have someone in Lyons to manage giving out the passes.

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