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Behrhorst: Huge traffic impacts from proposed racetrack expansion
Summary by Aspen News Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Amy Behrhorst , Aspen Times
· July 21, 2026
· 2 min read
Imagine the traffic the racetrack expansion would generate. Beyond the members’ regular cars, the facility would require a constant stream of commercial and service vehicles, including sanitation trucks, food and beverage deliveries, hazardous waste haulers, tire delivery and removal trucks, fuel...
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Summary created by Aspen News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Amy Behrhorst, Aspen Times Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Some people argue that current traffic in this area is a problem for the Pitkin County Road & Bridge Department to solve.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The proposed racetrack expansion on McClain Flats Road poses significant traffic concerns for the surrounding rural residential area. The influx of commercial and service vehicles, combined with construction traffic, would put a strain on the already overwhelmed roads. Pitkin County's small, curvy, and hilly roads, such as Smith Hill Way, are ill-equipped to handle the increased traffic volume. The Elam Gravel Pit entrance on McClain Flats Road, designated as the sole entry and exit point for the racetrack, could become a bottleneck, potentially shutting down access to and from Highway 82 if obstructed. This could have far-reaching consequences for commuters, emergency responders, and local businesses. The Aspen community should consider the long-term implications of this expansion on the area's infrastructure and quality of life. The upcoming BOCC public hearing on July 22 provides an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and shape the future of this project.
About this story
Original reporting by Aspen Times . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 2 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Imagine the traffic the racetrack expansion would generate. Beyond the members’ regular cars, the facility would require a constant stream of commercial and service vehicles, including sanitation trucks, food and beverage deliveries, hazardous waste haulers, tire delivery and removal trucks, fuel...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Amy Behrhorst at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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