The transportation system plays a key role in helping to determine land use, but at the same time, land use is an important factor in determining roadway’s alignment, function and design. Land use and transportation were considered together when planning Castle Rock’s road network in order to satisfy the needs of residents, to accommodate regional traffic, to protect the integrity of local residential neighborhoods and to support Town of Castle Rock goals.
The Transportation Master Plan describes Castle Rock’s Functional Street Classification Plan. Development requirements for new roads within each type road class are laid out there, too. The Transportation Master Plan also addresses the full range of travel modes: vehicular, transit, rail, pedestrian and bicycle. Castle Rock is serviced by the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern / Santa Fe rail lines. The town’s bike trail plan will eventually connect most areas of town with each other, downtown Castle Rock, and the regional bike trail network. Pedestrian needs and “walkability” within the downtown core are a key focus of the Downtown Plan.
Castle Rock’s transportation network is strengthened by its central location and easy access to major state travel routes. The primary Colorado north-south interstate, I-25, runs through Castle Rock and links the community with the major east-west routes of I-70 and I-80. Three I-25 interchanges in town provide direct access to the town’s commercial districts as well as U.S. Highway 85 and Colorado Highway 83 and 86. Two new I-25 interchanges are planned and represent excellent development opportunities.
Castle Rock recently completed a ring road that will support the free movement of traffic around and within the community as it grows towards its eventual population. Going counter clockwise from the northeast, the ring road is composed of Founders Parkway, Meadows Parkway and an extension of Coachline Road on the west side of I-25 to Plum Creek Parkway on the east side of I-25. In addition to those two new connector roads, potential alignments for a new road linking The Meadows neighborhood to I-25 are being evaluated.
• Downtown Denver – 30 miles, 25 minutes by car • Colorado Springs – 40 miles, 35 minutes by car
• Denver International Airport – 47 miles northeast, 45 minutes by car • Colorado Springs Municipal Airport – 45 miles south, 45 minutes by car • Centennial Airport (general aviation) – 19 miles north, 20 minutes by car