Aspen To Encourage Transit Use By Keeping Congested Highway As Is

"The official plan, known as the preferred alternative, is designed to limit the number of vehicles that can roll into Aspen."

"'The current plan for the Entrance to Aspen is to leave the capacity at two lanes, while maintaining current traffic volumes, with the expectation that the continuing congestion will increase transit ridership,' reads a statement on Evans' Web site -- Entrance Solution. 'Even assuming that inconveniencing people leads to a change in travel mode, the purpose in doing so obviously isn't to reduce congestion.'"

"Transit officials remain firm behind the one-lane-for-traffic concept and to improve the efficiency of the bus system so it is a better alternative than driving. While they concede that many drivers need their vehicles, many have the option to leave their cars in a park-and-ride lot and get on a bus. And as transit ridership increases, they say, it will reduce the daily traffic jam."

"Officials say that two more lanes will fill up quickly."

"'It has been proven across the nation,' said Pitkin County Public Works Director Brian Pettet, 'you will have induced demand where people understand it is easier to drive in, and that capacity will be absorbed.'"