Project Update February 6, 2023

Dear Midland Streetscape Project Stakeholder,

Thank you so much for your continued interest in the project.  As spring approaches we’re getting closer to starting construction and making the vision of a more vibrant, connected, and safe Midland Avenue a reality.  We have some updates we’d like to share.

We have new renderings of what the streetscape will look like when the project is finished.  We want to stress; however, that these three-dimensional images are close approximations to the final design but not exact.  The final design has yet to be approved, particularly related to fine details, colors, and materials.  Those elements are yet to be determined.  You can see a slide deck of the renderings here in the documents section of the project page on Let’s Talk Basalt.  While not final, they offer a good sense of the look and feel of the design.  

There have also been some exciting new developments with the Town of Basalt and Holy Cross Energy, which supplies electricity to the town.  The two organizations are partnering in support of the town’s goal to move toward 100% renewable energy townwide by installing infrastructure that will improve the resiliency of the power supply in the Midland corridor. These improvements pave the way toward a future of net zero emissions buildings in Basalt.  This effort supports the town’s Climate Action Plan and sustainable building goals.  

Another significant development in the project timeline is that the Basalt Sanitation District (an independent entity from the Town of Basalt) is installing a new sanitary sewer line near the Midland Avenue and Two Rivers Road intersection continuing down toward the bridge over the Roaring Fork River.  The reason for the project is that the current infrastructure is nearly 50 years old and in need of replacement. The new sewer line will be more efficient and will allow for the Basalt Sanitation District system to have additional capacity. The Basalt Sanitation District's project is scheduled to begin around February 15 and will run through late March or early April. While this work is separate from the Midland Avenue Streetscape project, we want to keep the community informed about all projects in the downtown area. 

The Town of Basalt and the Basalt Sanitation District are coordinating their projects and the Midland Avenue Streetscape project will begin in late-March/early-April as the Sanitation District project concludes.

Here is the proposed schedule for the project (weather dependent).

2023

Spring– Midland Spur

Summer through fall – Impacts will primarily be on the south side of Midland Avenue from Alpine Bank to intersection with Homestead Drive. Traffic will be routed to the north side of Midland, with one lane of traffic on Midland Avenue with flaggers. 

Summer through fall – Intersection with Midland Spur to Two Rivers Road 

Fall – North side of Midland Avenue from Midland Spur intersection to approximately Xin Yu Massage. Traffic will be routed to the south side of Midland Avenue, with one lane of traffic on Midland Avenue with flaggers.

2024

Spring through fall – Finish north sidewalk and north side of Midland Avenue from approximately Xin Yu Massage to intersection with Homestead Drive. Traffic will be routed to the south side of Midland, with one lane of traffic on Midland Avenue with flaggers.

Spring through fall – Midland Avenue turnaround at the intersection of Homestead Drive and Midland Avenue.

We will continue to keep you informed of dates as they become more specific.

Finally, the Let’s Talk Basalt project page for Midland Avenue Streetscape project is now replicated in Spanish.  We are excited to offer this news and information for our Spanish speaking stakeholders and will continue our efforts to reach as many people as we can about the project.

As always, if you have questions or ideas on how we can improve our communications, please reach out anytime to midlandstreetscape@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

The Midland Streetscape Project Team