The Transportation Planning and Traffic Engineering Division evaluates
the need for a traffic signal at intersections through an engineering
analysis. The Prairie Hawk Drive at Low Meadow Blvd/Limelight Ave traffic
signal, located near the Meadows portion of Castle Rock is planned to
begin construction in Summer of 2025.
The following questions were asked by the Commission:
1. Did PWC approve a contract to retain a design consultant or was this
done with an on-call process?
A. The design contract for this project was not approved by the PWC,
as it was under $250K and the Town Manager has approval
authority for that. Public Works has an on-call contract that was
used to select the design consultant.
2. Why did Public Works pick a signal vs a roundabout for this intersection?
A. While roundabouts are generally the preferred option, Public
Works analyzes each location individually. At this location, a
roundabout would have been cost prohibitive for our budget due to
the right-of-way impacts and concrete work needed for a
roundabout.
3. Is the contractor responsible for the electrical and fiber when doing this
project?
A. The Town’s Department of Information and Technology handles all
the fiber related work. Electrical work on the project is coordinated
with CORE. Our contractor will install a meter, and CORE handles
the connected from the meter to one of their transformers, and
Town is responsible for the connection from the meter to the traffic
signal cabinet.
4. Will there be extra costs from CORE Electric?
A. Town does pay a design fee to CORE to address ability to provide
electric power. With the construction contract, there is one bid item
that is a force account which has a fixed fee that each bidder uses
the same cost. This cost is used to cover the connection from the
meter to the Town’s cabinet.
5. Since Lighthouse was the lowest bid how was it determined to pick them?
A. Per our code the Town does select the contractor with the lowest
qualified bid. Contractors’ qualifications are also considered
including: insurance coverage; bonding; past experience and
references.
6. What other intersections were considered and how was this intersection
picked?
A. Public Works reviews key locations for signals each year. Last
year we looked at three intersections: Front St/Canyon Dr; Crystal
Valley/Old Lanterns; and Prairie Hawk/Low Meadow-Limelight. We
performed analysis on each intersection to see if national guideline
warrants were met under current conditions and future conditions.
This project site was the only intersection that met warrants. In this
case the 1-hour and 4-hour volumes met warrants, and a signal
was found to improve safety, namely for traffic crossing Prairie
Hawk from one side or the other.
A motion made by Commissioner Rangel and seconded by Commissioner Reeder to
approve the Resolution Approving A Construction Contract (2025 Traffic Signal