SH9 near Mile Post 111 Photosimulations CDOT, Silverthorne, Colorado The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) was planning improvements for State Highway 9 between Silverthorne and Ute Pass Road. The highway is a winding segment of Colorado's mountain highway system and the CDOT project intended to add or widen shoulders, reduce critical grades, lengthen sharp curves and eliminate rock falls. The primary stakeholder was the United StatesForest Service (USFS) as many of the necessary cuts and fills would occur on Federal lands.

POITRA Visual also provided maps, graphs and graphic cross-sections to further describe the modifications to US Forest Service administrators.

1. Photosimulation of Proposed Roadway Improvements: State Highway 9 reconfigured to add shoulders, eliminate rockfalls, and add superelevation to the curve.

Photosimulations 1 E Mouse-over images above to toggle between the existing photo and the photosimulations.

POITRA was contracted to provide a series of photosimulations, maps and graphics to illustrate the report CDOT prepared for review by the USFS Dillon Ranger District. POITRA prepared simulations and graphic cross-sections at each of the most radically affected locations as well as report covers and overall location maps. The Engineer provided all the base photographs from their own corridor photo survey. At the mile post 111 location extreme falling rock hazards were eliminated by extensive cuts and the fill was used to provide room for outside shoulders. The highway curve was also given an appropriate super-elevation. The the expanded road cut and removal of trees in new shoulder fill area exposed mountain background. This area had to be restored using a selection of reference photographs and traditional digital painting techniques. The adjusted alignment, new shoulders and pavement markings were laid in by POITRA artists from CADD drawings using the existing road features as landmarks. Care had to be taken in comparing profiles and slopes in order to correctly represent the subtle grade changes. The previous bridge and roadway design experience of the POITRA Visual principals prevented plan understanding from being part of the challenge. The final existing and proposed photosimulation images were used in the USFS report and as printed displays in CDOT meetings. « BACK

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