Lafarge given green light for expansion

Lafarge given green light for expansion
01 February 2010


Lafarge has been given the go-ahead to expand its operations in El Paso County, despite opposition from neighbours of the proposed expansion site.

El Paso County Commissioners approved the Special Use Permit by a 3-0 vote Thursday evening.

The land where Lafarge has plans to expand its asphalt and concrete operations sits across I-25 from Pikes Peak International Raceway and has been a dubbed a battlefield. Some residents have been vehemently opposed to the proposed project.

"Lafarge is in business to make money--not to improve the community," says Sally Miller who lives less than 2 miles from the proposed Lafarge site.

Miller says Lafarge’s plans will have detrimental effects on nearby Fountain Creek.

"There is no way that will remain a stable area," she says.

Miller also worries about the traffic Lafarge will bring to Exit 122 off I-25. She says the area is already dangerous and a new overpass is needed.

"It’s a very dangerous area for cars much less semis," Miller says.

Lafarge has agreed to more than $1 million in improvements to make the interchange safer.

"To completely reconfigure that interchange would not be financially viable for any developer," says Steve Brown, Lafarge’s Director of Land Management for the Western U.S. Region.
Published under Cement News