Kit Geary/Summit Daily News
Two of Silverthorne’s largest current projects could now show results as early as fall: the creation of off-road connections for busy residential areas and the expansion of a park.
Officials had previously said construction on both projects at the west end of Silverthorne could take several years, but they are now expected to be completed before the end of 2024.
City Engineer Deborah Snyder said the Adams Avenue widening project, which will create a connection between the Willowbrook Road and Smith Ranch Road neighborhoods, is expected to be completed in mid-October, possibly sooner. The Trent Park widening project is expected to be completed in mid-November.
The Adams Avenue widening project began in early April and work on Trent Park began in mid-May. Snyder said local contractor Columbine Hills Construction was awarded both projects after a competitive bidding process and that having both projects done by the same contractor helped speed up the projects.
Adams Avenue Extension
The road expansion was identified as necessary over four years ago and has since been included in the city’s transportation master plan. Snyder said she is eager to complete the expansion because it will improve operations at Summit Stage.
She said the extension will help eliminate time-consuming bus turnarounds on Willowbrook Road by creating a connection to Adams Avenue. She added the extension will help improve connectivity in a part of town that is expected to become busier due to upcoming development.
“The idea is to connect the two neighborhoods so that the new Smith Ranch has access to this great recreational facility, Trent Park. And hopefully with the development of Smith Ranch, there will be some businesses there that the Willowbrook neighborhood can access via the new road that we’re building,” Snyder said.
Some residents of the Willowbrook neighborhood have expressed concern about the negative environmental and traffic impacts that would result from the proposed road running over a nearby creek. Others have expressed gratitude for the off-highway connection the project will create because it will provide a safer bike route for their young children.
In negotiating the purchase of the property from the Willowbrook Meadows Owners Association, the city agreed to cover snow removal and related costs for the neighborhood and, in addition, to purchase a property from the association for nearly $3,000.
Silverthorne had to purchase two additional properties to complete the project, one of which cost the city $95,000 from Xcel Energy/Westgas and one from Shirley Co. for about $43,000. The city had previously estimated the total cost of the project at $3.6 million.
Expansion of Trent Park
The Trent Park expansion will include two paved pump tracks, a warming hut, basketball courts, a bouldering area and a court games area. Parking will also be added for the park and the Willow Creek Trailhead. The city also plans to build a bridge across the Willow Creek floodplain.
Snyder said the city is especially excited about the pump tracks. One will be beginner and ADA accessible and one will be more advanced.
“These are (Union Cycliste Internationale) recognized race qualifying courses, so if we wanted to, we could host the world championships here,” Snyder said.
The project is expected to cost approximately $3.5 million. Silverthorne received a $600,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado, which is specifically geared toward promoting outdoor recreation. In addition, the city secured a $1.5 million grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
