Northwest Transportation Planning Region
NWTPR is characterized by mountainous terrain, agricultural lands, and river valleys. Home to numerous national forests, wilderness areas, state parks, and world-renowned ski resorts, the TPR offers diverse and open landscapes that provide an abundance of recreation and tourism opportunities. Adverse winter weather conditions create the potential for road closures.
About Northwest Transportation Planning Region
Freight movement is an economic indicator, and the Northwest TPR has a relatively high percentage of truck traffic (approximately 11 percent of daily vehicle volume is trucks). This is higher than the statewide average of 9 percent and indicates the important role the Northwest TPR plays in a growing freight economy.
There are five Scenic Byways in the TPR that also contribute to the economic vitality. They are the Cache La Poudre, Colorado River Headwaters, Flat Tops Trail, Dinosaur Diamond, and Trail Ridge Road. Three ski areas also serve as economic generators.
The multimodal transportation system in the Northwest TPR includes numerous state highways, five Scenic Byways, one commercial airport, seven general aviation airports, one intercity bus service provider, and 15 local/human services transit providers.
The Northwest Transportation Region’s system has 106 bridges maintained by CDOT.
Traffic safety is a fundamental priority for transportation at the local, regional, and state levels. Safe, comfortable, and efficient travel between population centers is important to the region. Shoulder widening, pavement maintenance, and strategic enhancements, such as intersection improvements, are key to improving safety and are highly desired by residents. Drifting snow, icy and snowy roads, rockfall, and avalanches are common safety and road closure concerns. The mountainous terrain limits available space for increasing roadway capacity. Road closures can result in lengthy detours. Many of the roads in the area are two lanes with limited shoulders. Wide travel lanes and adequate paved shoulders are desired improvements for the safety of motorists and bicyclists.
Key Takeaways:
- System preservation is the primary need in the region
- Snow and ice removal are key to meeting mobility needs.
- There are limited redundant routes to provide detours during road closures.
- Though it is not routed through the TPR, I-70 contributes to the economic vitality of the region
- Important issues in the TPR include: improving roadway pavement conditions and economic development.
NWTPR Regional Priority Corridors:
US 40: West of Craig east to Empire
SH 13: Rifle north to WY border
SH 14: Muddy Pass to WY
SH 64: Dinosaur to Meeker
SH 131: Wolcott N to Steamboat Springs
SH 139: Loma North to Rangely
Quarterly Meeting
About Our Members
The TPR Member Towns & Cities:
City of Craig
Town of Fraser
Town of Granby
Town of Grand Lake
Town of Hayden
Town of Hot Sulphur
Town of Kremmling
Town of Meeker
Town of Oak Creek
Town of Rangely
City of Steamboat Springs
Town of Walden
Town of Winter Park
Town of Yampa
The TPR Member Counties:
Grand County, Jackson County, Moffat County. Rio Blanco County, Routt County
Northwest TPR Chair:
Brian Cerkvenik, Fraser Trustee,
Email: chair@nwtpr.org
Northwest TPR Vice Chair:
Jennifer O'Hearon
Email: vicechair@nwtpr.org