Transportation
TRANSPORTATION
Highway and Bridge Construction:
Colorado will receive $404 million for transportation projects statewide. Part of that money is expected to projects that will do a wide range of work, from replacing traffic signals to highway resurfacing and bridge replacement. These projects are being coordinated by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
The Recovery Act also gives additional funds directly to transit agencies and the three large metropolitan planning organizations in the state for their prioritized projects:
- $37.3million to the Denver Regional Council of Governments. The group voted in March 2009 to fund 7 projects, including renovations to Union Station in Denver, a pedestrian bridge in Arapahoe County, and a new I-225 interchange in Aurora. As of March 31, 2010, all of the funds had been allocated and $12,046 had been spent.
- $13.1 million to Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments. As of March 31, 2010, all of the funds had been allocated and no dollars had been spent.
- $5.8 million to North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization. As of March 31, 2010, $5 million had been spent.
Work began May 19, 2009, on the first Recovery Act-funded roadway project in Littleton. As of April 2010, 82 roadway projects using more than $338 million have begun construction, 18 projects have been completed, and more than 19,000 people were hired to work on those projects. More than $126 million has been spent. In all, 102 projects will be paid for with Recovery Act funds.
CDOT Recovery Act website; Contact: Herman Stockinger, CDOT, 303-757-9077; Stacey Stegman, CDOT, 303-757-9362, Stacey.stegman@state.co.us;
Transit:
There are several grant programs to help with transit needs. Colorado also has been allocated $103 million in Capital Investment Grants for transit projects. Most of the money - $90.2 million - will go to transit agencies in urban areas for capital projects such as new transit facilities or new vehicles.
- Regional Transportation District – Working on more than 25 projects worth $132.5 million from a variety of programs. These projects include: installing smart card technology for fare boxes, capital maintenance on bus and rail systems, $40 million for the West Corridor light rail and construction at Denver Union Station. As of April 2010, RTD had spent almost $80 million on the projects.
- City of Colorado Springs - allocated approximately $8.8 million; $4,550,000 has been obligated
- City of Fort Collins - $3,403,060 has been allocated for work and $51,094 has been spent
- Mesa County - moving forward with a $2.5 million project at a transit maintenance facility
- City of Greeley - has a $2 million allocation and moving forward with a $13,000 safety rail retrofit for disabled and senior riders
- City of Pueblo - moving forward with three projects: $1.8 million for busses, $25,264 for replacement of a support vehicle, $41,400 for fare box parts
The remaining $12.5 million in transit funds will go to rural areas and will be managed by CDOT. About $10.3 million will be used to fund a new bus maintenance facility in Summit County. Half of the funds must be obligated by Sept. 1, 2009 and the other half by March 5, 2010. There are “Buy America” provisions in these grants, calling for the purchase U.S.-made goods for the projects.
The Federal Transit Administration also is distributing $750 million nationwide in discretionary funds for improving energy efficiency and reducing costs and dependence on foreign oil in transit projects. This fund is called the Transit Capital Investment Grants for new starts. A third grant program focuses on clean energy initiatives. The FTA will distribute $100 million nationwide through a competitive process to public transit agencies for projects that reduce energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions.
Contact: Herman Stockinger, Colorado Department of Transportation, 303-757-9077; Stacey Stegman, Colorado Department of Transportation, 303-757-9362, Stacey.stegman@state.co.us;
Aviation:
Construction work at seven Colorado airports began over the summer with $36.6 million in Recovery Act funds aimed at improving capacity, safety and security. More than $33 million has been spent. The Federal Aviation Administration selected the grant recipients.
- Denver International Airport awarded $7 million in contracts for runway rehabilitation, which is substantially complete. Another $4.4 million contract for apron improvements is underway.
- $3.1 million for taxiway rehabilitation at Centennial Airport.
- $3.5 million for apron improvements at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport.
- $6.7 million for taxiway rehabilitation at the Colorado Springs Airport.
- $9.3 million for apron improvements at the Grand Junction Airport.
- $1.9 million for resurfacing at the Durango Airport.
- $556,797 for taxiway improvements at Fort Collins Airport.
Contact: Travis Vallin, Division of Aeronautics at CDOT, 303-261-4418, travis.vallin@state.co.us
Explosive Detections Equipment:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is distributing $1 billion in discretionary grants nationwide to airports for the purchase and use of devices that detect explosives.
Multimodal Projects:
The U.S. Department of Transportation will distribute $1.5 billion in discretionary grants to projects that are between $20 and $300 million in size and are of national or regional significance. The criteria for grant applications are due by mid May and applications are due within 180 days. Awards will be announced within one year. Contact: Herman Stockinger, CDOT, 303-757-9077; Stacey Stegman, CDOT, 303-757-9362, Stacey.stegman@state.co.us;
There also are other grants available through the Federal Transit Administration for public transit projects that improve energy efficiency, reduce dependence on oil, and promote alternative forms of travel. These funds total $2.3 billion and are either competitive or discretionary through the US DOT.
High-speed Rail:
The Colorado Department of Transportation received two grants to advance high-speed rail in the state. The first grant, worth $1 million, will pay for a Connectivity Study that shows how high-speed rail systems outside the Denver metro area might interface with RTD’s FasTracks system. The second grant, worth $400,000, will develop a state rail plan. Contact: Stacey Stegman, 303-757-9362, Stacey.stegman@dot.state.co.us.