INSIDE T-REX: March 8, 2002 - MARCH 22, 2002
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Welcome to "Inside T-REX," a bi-weekly communiqué that provides the
latest information about the Transportation Expansion (T-REX) Project.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Prairie Dog Relocation Program Complete
2. RTD Seeks Two Community Members for T-REX Art Advisory Committee
3. Minority Employment Outreach Finds Success
4. Upcoming Building Demolitions
5. Upcoming Construction Schedule Information
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1. Prairie Dog Relocation Program Complete
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One hundred prairie dogs from two colonies were successfully relocated
to Cherry Creek State Park, marking one of the first successful prairie
dog transfers across county lines since the passage of Senate Bill (SB)
111, requiring county commission approval from receiving counties.
After six months of exhaustive efforts to find available and suitable
locations, the remaining prairie dogs, totaling approximately 75, were
removed March 6 through the use of humane extermination methods.
The T-REX Project encroached on approximately five prairie dog colonies
and followed specific guidelines outlined by the CDOT Prairie Dog
Guidance and Interim Region 6 Prairie Dog Policy. During the EIS
process, it was determined that avoiding these five colonies was not
viable or feasible. The Project relocation of 100 prairie dogs required
the approval of the Arapahoe County Commissioner and was completed in
February 2002.
In order to relocate the 75 remaining prairie dogs, T-REX pursued
several potential relocation sites that included Chatfield State Park,
Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Pawnee National Grasslands, Banner Lakes, and
the City of Aurora. In each case, the Project was unable to obtain
approval or acceptance of the sites for relocation of the remaining
prairie dogs.
The relocation contractor The Wild Places, Inc., as well as the Division
of Wildlife also assisted in the search for additional relocation sites.
Neither was able to find a location willing to accept these two colonies
within the Project's time constraints. Upon exhausting the search for
potential relocation sites, the Project initiate discussions with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department regarding the black-footed ferret
program, at which time the Project was informed that the program was not
accepting additional prairie dogs. Upon the advice of wildlife
biologists, the Project proceeded with controlled extermination before
beginning construction at the sites.
To share the lessons learned from this experience, as well as to
increase awareness about the lack of relocation sites, the Project
approached the Rocky Mountain Animal Defense (RMAD) to offer information
and insights.
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2. RTD Seeks Two Community Members for T-REX Art
Advisory Committee
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RTD is seeking two additional voting members for the T-REX Project Art
Advisory Committee to serve as community representatives helping
determine art elements along the T-REX light rail corridor.
The T-REX Art Advisory committee, formed in late 2001, is made up of
arts and community representatives as well as T-REX and RTD staffers.
The committee will consider such issues as community identity and
values, aesthetic excellence, how art fits with the architecture and
community and the enduring value of a work of art for the Denver region.
The committee has sole authority to make decisions on artwork and create
a cohesive, system-wide collection of art chosen using the same
criteria. Other groups including local jurisdictions, the RTD Board of
Directors, neighborhood associations and arts councils will be informed
about and involved with T-REX art activities.
For additional information on this program, please contact Amy Ford of
the T-REX public information team at 303-357-8572.
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3. Minority Employment Outreach Finds Success
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Minority employment outreach efforts continue to be successful, as
evidenced at Southeast Corridor Constructors (SECC)'s recent
participation in a local radio station sponsored Job Fair. Karen
Gonzales, human resources representative, met with more than 1400
interested Hispanic applicants for craft and trade positions.
SECC has a 13.8 percent minority employment goal for each craft, as well
as a 6.9 percent female employment goal for each craft. For more
information on SECC's minority employment outreach and DBE program,
please contact Joe Wingerter at (303)357-8639.
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4. Upcoming Building Demolitions
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The residence at 5190 S. Vassar is scheduled for demolition on March 11.
The residences at 1100 - 1200 S. Pearl are scheduled for demolition on
March 18.
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5. Upcoming Construction Schedule Information
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Now that the concrete remnants of the center median barrier have been
removed between Hampden and Quincy, crews will turn their attention
toward grading this section. Once this work is complete, the center
median will be paved and northbound I-25 traffic will be shifted to the
west, so crews can build a new outside lane.
The pavement is in place for the temporary University Blvd. ramps and
work is now occurring to activate the temporary signals that will
control these ramp movements. This is the last major phase of work that
needs to be done before the lanes on the temporary ramps are striped and
traffic is switched to the new temporary ramps. This switch should take
place in the next two weeks.
A little further north in the project corridor, crews will continue
placing concrete barriers along the outside lanes of both north and
southbound I-25 between Logan and University. After this is completed,
crews will clear and grub the area before widening activities take
place.
More detailed and up-to-date closure and detour information is included
in the "T-REX 7-Day Look-Ahead Construction Report," which is updated by
6 p.m. every business day. This report is available on our web site,
www.trexproject.com, by clicking the "T-REX Weekly Construction Report,"
link and opening the document.
Of course, all schedules are subject to change due to weather
conditions.
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