Gaming Area Access Environmental
Impact Statement

FAQs

1. What is the Gaming Area Access Project?

   The Gaming Area Access Project is an environmental study of proposed improvements to the transportation network used to access the gaming areas of Central City and Black Hawk. The resulting environmental impact statement will provide a description of the project, as well as analyses of impacts.

2. What is the process of an Environmental Impact Statement?

   Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an EIS is developed when a proposed action (in this case transportation improvements) could have a significant impact on the environment. The process includes agency and public scoping to identify critical environmental issues. A number of design alternatives are developed to address the need. Environmental impacts of these alternatives are evaluated. As part of the EIS process, two documents are developed for public review and comment: the Draft EIS and the Final EIS. Both are full disclosure documents that provide a full description of the proposed project, identification of the preferred alternative, the need for, and purpose of the project, the existing environment, analysis of the anticipated beneficial and adverse environmental effects of the range of reasonable alternatives.

3. Why is access to the gaming areas in Gilpin County being studied?

   With the inception of limited stakes gaming in 1991, traffic volumes along SH 119 have steadily grown. The opening of the Central City Parkway, as well as street improvements within the two cities, has allowed for adequate traffic flow. Yet, projected casino growth and associated vehicle trips will overwhelm the capacity of both SH 119 and the local street system by the year 2030, thereby inhibiting growth and development, and creating hazardous conditions for the motoring public.

4. What aspects of the transportation network have been evaluated
   as part of the EIS?

   Traffic volumes along US 6, SH 119 and the Central City Parkway have been examined to understand future travel demand and capacity needs. Additionally, safety considerations, traffic speeds, travel times and roadway geometry have been evaluated.