Castle Rock proposes first truck route

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By Mike McKibbin/NewsBreak Denver

[CASTLE ROCK, CO] Growth and resident concerns about truck traffic in and near Castle Rock private homes have spurred the town to develop its first-ever truck route program.

According to Jacob Vargish, the town's planning and traffic engineering manager, the program would reduce cut-through freight traffic in residential and historic downtown areas.

The program will identify and mark designated routes for commercial truck drivers to follow. Trucks with destinations off the routes would still be able to detour to complete their deliveries.

Vargish said Castle Rock established a procedure to designate truck routes in 2014 but had not used it until now.

After recent direction from the town manager and council, Vargish said town staff talked to nearby communities such as Parker and Centennial that have truck routes for advice. Staff also reached out to stakeholders such as trucking organizations, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the town police department.

The proposed route would focus truck traffic on the major thoroughfares, such as Wolfsenberg Road west of Interstate 25, the Plum Creek Parkway and Ridge Road east of I-25.

A map of the proposed first-ever truck route in the town of Castle Rock, with the chosen streets in green.Town of Castle Rock

"There are business and industrial areas that already have truck traffic connections," Vargish said. "We want to include roads with unimpeded movement and around residential areas."

He noted some streets in Castle Rock see daily traffic counts of 15,000 vehicles.

"Castle Rock is growing and that adds traffic but it's not the main reason we want to have truck routes," Vargish said.

Residents are invited to stop by an open house from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 18, at town hall, 100 N. Wilcox St. There will be no formal presentation but town staff will be present to discuss the proposed truck route map, enforcement and the program's purpose.

Residents can also share feedback on the project web page by Monday, May 2, or call 720-733-2479.

Vargish said after obtaining feedback, the town-wide truck route map would be presented to the town council this summer. If adopted, signage designating the routes is expected to be installed by year-end.