Writer Gloria Liu discusses the traffic chaos on I-70 during ski season, exploring the increase in cars, the early morning rush, and potential solutions. The conversation also delves into the relationship between nature and recreational arterials in the U.S.
The surge in cars on Colorado's I-70 calls for leaving as early as 3 or 4 AM to avoid gridlock during ski season.
Balancing accessibility to nature while preserving its authenticity highlights challenges in managing recreational travel and wilderness experiences.
Deep dives
The Challenge of Traffic on Colorado's I-70 for Skiers and Snowboarders
The podcast episode discusses the notorious ski traffic on Colorado's I-70, a primary route for accessing ski resorts from Denver. The surge in cars accessing the route, increasing more than 500%, causes gridlock on weekends and holidays during peak winter seasons. To combat this traffic, drivers often need to leave as early as 3 or 4 AM to avoid congestion, highlighting the significant impact on recreational travel to the mountains.
The Impact of Accessibility and Exclusivity in Nature Experience
The episode delves into the balance between providing access to nature and preserving its authenticity and ruggedness. Examples from Yellowstone National Park and Boundary Waters Wilderness Area highlight the challenges of making natural locations accessible while maintaining their untouched beauty. The discussion revolves around the trade-off between increasing accessibility for all individuals and ensuring the genuine wilderness experience.
Alternative Transportation Solutions and Learnings from Disney World
The conversation explores potential solutions to the traffic issue, suggesting implementing a bus-only lane as a more efficient alternative. Drawing from Disney World's transportation system, the idea is to separate car traffic and introduce bus shuttles to alleviate congestion. The concept emphasizes learning from successful models like Disney's transportation strategies to optimize movement and accessibility in congested areas.
Challenges of Car-Centric Urban Design in Denver
Addressing the underlying issues within Denver's car-centric urban design, the podcast discusses the systemic dysfunction that amplifies traffic problems. The conversation advocates for rethinking transportation infrastructure to prioritize public transit solutions over private vehicles. The episode highlights the need for fundamental changes to address the acute pain of traffic congestion on I-70 stemming from broader urban planning inadequacies in Denver.
Since the 1970s, the number of cars on I-70 between Denver and its surrounding resorts have jumped more than 500%. Coloradans and frequent visitors know that, in order to reach the mountains during the gridlock of ski season, you must leave as early as 3 or 4 a.m. in the morning. Writer Gloria Liu decided to investigate this chaos by jumping directly into the traffic and interviewing the people stuck in it, and the article she penned about her adventure is up for discussion on this week’s episode of Upzoned. Can I-70 be fixed? And what do famous recreational arterials like I-70 reveal about our relationship with nature in the U.S.?