Accelerate Colorado  
Transportation
 
Our Transportation Priority Project Asks
  • Our focus is on regional improvements that will help serve Colorado with a coordinated and multi-modal transportation network.  All of our priorities have regional support and significant benefit to the safety and mobility of Colorado citizens, goods and services.  In addition, each project is listed on the Colorado Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and the fiscally constrained Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  Our key priorities for Highway Priority Project (HPP) consideration include:
    1. I-225 Widening and Colfax/17th Place Interchange: funding to complete the construction of this interchange to serve the demands of the Anschutz Medical Campus and Fitzsimons Life Science District estimated at $21.9 million; and funding for the next phase of widening of I-225 from Mississippi to Second Avenue to relieve congestion estimated at $32 million.
    2. I-25 and Arapahoe Interchange: funding for design and phased construction of this significant regional interchange, estimated at $55 million.
    3. FasTracks: continued federal partnership of funding for the build-out of this regional transportation project; federal contribution estimated at $1.4 billion.
    4. Tower Road and Peña Boulevard Interchange: funding for the design and engineering of the missing on-ramp of the interchange to enhance the economic development of Commerce City; total cost estimated at $10.1 million.
    5. Powers Boulevard and Stewart Interchange: funding for the construction of this interchange to serve as the entrance to Peterson Air Force Base; total cost estimated at $45 million.

I-225 Asks

  • Please request funding for the final two phases of construction of a new interchange at I-225 and Colfax Avenue/17th Place.  Based on April 2010 construction cost estimates, the total request is for $21.9 million.
  • Please request funding from the new authorization legislation for the next phase of construction of the widening of I-225 from Mississippi to Second Avenue, estimated at $32 million.

I-25 and Arapahoe Interchange Asks

  • Please pursue Federal Highway Administration discretionary funds for the I-25 and Arapahoe Road interchange, both in the FY 2011 appropriations bill and in the reauthorization of surface transportation legislation.
  • We support the request for funding of $5,000,000 in the FY 2011 Omnibus for final design of the I-25 and Arapahoe Interchange.
  • We support the request for funding from the new authorization legislation for the first phase of construction of the project, which is the Costilla Avenue Extension and grade separation of I-25, estimated at $25,000,000.

FasTracks Asks

  • Please request funding for FasTracks funding in your 2011 Appropriations Funding Requests including:
    • $40,000,000 West Corridor Light Rail
    • $40,000,000 East Corridor Light Rail
    • $40,000,000 Gold Line Light Rail
  • Please look for every possible opportunity to support federal funding to complete FasTracks.
  • Please work with the Federal Transit Authority to grant more flexibility and funding for FastTracks.
  • Please include all corridors in the new Reauthorization.

Tower Road and Peña Boulevard Interchange Asks

  • Please request $1,250,000 for the Tower Road and Peña Boulevard Interchange.
    • Tower Road is a primary north/south arterial for commuter traffic and provides direct access to an estimated population of 19,000 residents. 
    • The interchange will be a good use of taxpayer funds because the population of Commerce City is projected to grow at a rate of 59%, and the largest commercial development area in the city is also accessed from Tower Road.  This development area, adjacent to DIA and consisting of several square miles, holds the potential for the creation of thousands of jobs and is the key to the City’s economic sustainability.  The access ramp is needed to ensure continued economic development in the area.
    • In addition to the economic benefits the completion of this project would provide, this connection will improve access to I-70 and the interstate highway system, as well as to DIA, and nearby military installations.

Powers Boulevard and Stewart Avenue Interchange Asks

  • Please pursue Federal Highway Administration discretionary funds for the Powers Boulevard and Airport Road interchange in the reauthorization of surface transportation legislation.
  • We support federal funding of $45,000,000 for the cost of construction, utility relocation, and construction engineering costs.
    • The cost for right-of-way and design are currently covered by other funding sources.
  

©2006 Aurora Economic Development Council • 14001 E. Iliff Avenue, Suite 211, Aurora CO 80014
T 303.755.2223 • F 303.755.2224