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For Immediate Release Wednesday, April 09, 2008 |
CONTACTS:
Stephanie Valencia (Salazar) - 202-494-8790 |
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Members of CO Delegation Urge Dept. of Transportation to Award Funding to Colorado for Improvements on U.S. 36 The U.S. 36 Mayors and Commissioners Coalition submitted its original
application for $234 million in funding through the Urban Partnership
Agreement (UPA) last year and was not one of the five urban areas that
was selected, but the project was the highest ranked beyond the five
initially selected. New York City, one of the initially selected projects,
withdrew its application and will not able to use the funds it was awarded
and Senators Salazar, Allard, Reps. Degette, Udall, Salazar and Perlmutter
believe that the funding should be awarded to Colorado as the highest
ranked unfunded project. “I am pleased to have another opportunity to support Colorado’s Urban Partnership Agreement proposal,” said Senator Allard. “The US 36 Corridor represents a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to congestion on our roadways. This funding will be helpful in improving mobility for thousands of Coloradans every day. It is rare that a project enjoys such widespread support from all levels of elected officials and citizens.” “It is important that we find innovative ways to fund large-scale transportation projects,” said Rep. Diana DeGette. “The Denver-metro transportation system is already a national model of success. Leaders from across Colorado have been able to reach consensus that has allowed us to begin addressing our staggering infrastructure needs.” “The communities along US 36 have been working diligently to
develop a vision for this congested roadway,” Rep. Mark Udall
said. “Their collaborative effort has made it possible to begin
work to reduce congestion and construct other improvements--including
enhanced transit options--once funding becomes available. As a result,
it should be next on the list for these dollars, and I urge the federal
transportation department to select this corridor for these now available
funds.” “US 36 is a major transportation corridor connecting growing communities within our state. These communities have taken a proactive, comprehensive approach to managing congestion in this area, and the plan is ready to launch. We urge the USDOT to move forward in recognizing the efforts along this corridor and provide the funding it deserves,” said Rep. Ed Perlmutter. The U.S. 36 proposed project would construct a managed, congestion priced lane along U.S. 36 from the end of North I-25 Express lands in Westminster all the way to Foothills Parkway in Boulder. The plan also includes a bus rapid transit service which builds on existing investments by the Denver Regional Transportation District. Additionally, Colorado’s plan calls for an expansion of a telecommuting program for employers along the corridor. Colorado law already allows
for the implementation of this project, and the project has support
of the entire Colorado Congressional Delegation, the Colorado Legislature,
Governor, and elected officials along the US 36 Corridor, as well as
the Regional Transportation District (RTD).
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