Highway 287, more commonly known as College Avenue, is in dire need to be repaved. One of the main roads popularly utilized by Fort Collins citizens and travelers alike, College has been a road of major transportation for individuals, vacationers, and businesses. Countless businesses have budded along the sides of this vast avenue and hundreds of cars travel it daily. So why, might I ask, is it in such terrible shape?
As a citizen who has lived in Fort Collins her whole life and currently resides on the southern end of College Avenue, I never really paid any mind to the large deep ruts, massive cracks and immense potholes that plague the highway to this day. But when I started driving at the age of 15 with a learner’s permit, I fully understood my parents’ frustration and anger at the condition this major road was in. We hoped, each year, that construction signs would appear and repairs would begin. But as years have passed the highway has done nothing more than deteriorate and so have Fort Collins’ inhabitants’ hopes.
Of course there are excuses and factors to consider; we understand that. But when weather conditions (such as this past week) ensue and semi-trucks are among the traffic, not only are the driving conditions dangerous, but the potholes and ruts become larger and more pronounced. Although predictions of this new MAX rapid bus transit system is supposed to cut down traffic on College, so far few citizens have claimed that they plan to use it. “I probably won’t use [transit] and I’ve never used the original buses here anyway,” Fossil Ridge senior Cortnee Roberson said. Although the project would be expensive, it is worth the cost. College Avenue is still going to be widely used for citizens running errands, going out of town, or needing to travel to areas of town that the transit system does not travel to.
Another problematic deterrent many argue is the overall backup of traffic and issues with slow-moving vehicles for those who are on schedules. May I mention that south College, from Skyway Drive to Harmony Road, has been only two lanes for two weeks due to necessary repairs underneath the road. When the snow came, the work stopped. Cars have been backed up to Trilby Road and during rush hour residents from the Huntington Hills and Miramont neighborhoods avoid their normal College routes from the irritated and rushed drivers. “It’s terrible,” local Ben Baker said. But will they go ahead and repave the road while they have it blocked off? Most likely not. This road has been two lanes for more than three weeks and no improvement has been made. As we’re starting to deal with this traffic backup and crawling cars they wouldn’t go ahead and get the repaving over with.
Also, there are many high school students that use this main road to travel to school and dangerous conditions are not acceptable for young and still inexperienced drivers. “I think that it would benefit most people and help make it easier and faster to get places…” FRHS senior Valerie Crouse said, “it would also make it a lot safer during the winter.” A student who commonly travels this road, Crouse believes that repaving it will benefit both citizens and young drivers.
Drivers are starting to really get tired of the potholes, popped tires, and dangerous icy roads when snow hits the town. Shocks are ruined and require replacement far sooner than they should from the deep ruts. With the amount of traffic this highway sees, it should be kept in much better condition than it is. Also, did I mention it is a highway? HWY 287 north of Fort Collins is like driving on clouds compared to the situation in town. Let’s have some pride and show travelers how great this town is. If all they see and experience is the dismal road as they drive through town they aren’t very likely to stop and hang around. I know I sure wouldn’t.
Yes, it will take time. Yes, it will back up traffic and be irritating. Yes, it will be expensive. But I think taxpayers will find it worth their money to pay for a road that will last us for years to come. If you’re a citizen there are other routes than just College available for use if you don’t think you can handle the backups. Just give yourself plenty of time.
As one of the most utilized roads, College Avenue can no longer be ignored by the city for being repaved. Not only do the citizens of Fort Collins use this road, but many others travel through our town and tourist-oriented Downtown too. It’s high time to make this city and this highway as functional and inviting as our town. Let’s repave our road already.
