Overpass chosen for North Meadows extension

Castle Rock Town Council voted unanimously to go with an overpass at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks where the North Meadows extension will cross the tracks at Castle View High School.

The overpass option was the less expensive alternative to an underpass option, according to the May 1 town staff report.

Castle Rock engineering manager Dan Sailer told council the underpass option created costly challenges for drainage, utilities and temporary track relocation during construction.

An underpass at the railroad crossing would create a bowl effect, requiring construction of costly drainage infrastructure, Sailer said. 

A March 7 open house at Castle View High School generated public feedback that showed most in attendance favored the overpass option, Sailer said. Out of about 30 who responded to the town’s questionnaire, 20 people said they favored the overpass.

When complete, the extension of North Meadows will connect the road from The Meadows to Interstate 25.

With its approval of the overpass, council gave the green light for design of the road to continue, with North Meadows crossing over the tracks immediately adjacent to the school.

“When you look at the cost savings it makes sense to go with this … option,” said Chip Wilson, District 4 councilmember. “I see this as the preferred choice in my mind.”