Persons in need of auxiliary aids or services, such as interpretation services or assisted listening devices, are asked to contact DRCOG at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting by calling (303) 480-6744.

AGENDA

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Tuesday, August 15, 2017

8:30 a.m. 1290 Broadway

Independence Pass Board Room

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comment

3. July 18, 2017 RTC Meeting Summary (Attachment A)

ACTION ITEMS

4. Discussion on amendments to the 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

(Attachment B) Todd Cottrell

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

5. Briefing on Denver’s Vision Zero Action Plan (Attachment C) Matthew Helfant - Rachael Bronson, City and County of Denver

6. Briefing on Front Range Long Range Transit Planning (Attachment D) Jacob Riger - David Krutsinger, CDOT

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS

7. Member Comment/Other Matters

8. Next Meeting – September 19, 2017

9. Adjournment

ATTACHMENT A

MEETING SUMMARY REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Tuesday, July 18, 2017 ________________________

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ed Peterson Colorado Department of Transportation Shannon Gifford Colorado Department of Transportation Karen Stuart (Alternate) Colorado Department of Transportation Debra Perkins-Smith (Alternate) Colorado Department of Transportation Bob Roth (Chair) Denver Regional Council of Governments Douglas Rex Denver Regional Council of Governments Ron Rakowsky Denver Regional Council of Governments Herb Atchison Denver Regional Council of Governments Heidi Williams Denver Regional Council of Governments Jeff Kullman Other Ken Lloyd Regional Air Quality Council Doug Tisdale Regional Transportation District Bob Broom Regional Transportation District Larry Hoy (Alternate) Regional Transportation District David Genova Regional Transportation District

Others Present: Paul Jesaitis (Alternate) Colorado Department of Transportation

Public: Mark Moskowitz, Anna Sparks, Adams County; Faye Estes, Douglas County; Brian Welch,

RTD; Dr. R. Paul Williamson, Sustainable Systems of Colorado; Yvonne Min, citizen. DRCOG Staff: Steve Cook, Todd Cottrell, Jacob Riger, Matthew Helfant, Brad Calvert, Casey Collins Call to Order

Chair Bob Roth called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m. Heidi Williams, Mayor, City of Thornton, was introduced as a new Board Member representative on the committee. Public Comment

There was no public comment. Summary of April 18, 2017 Meeting

The summary was accepted as written.

ACTION ITEMS Discussion on the designation of a Critical Urban Freight Corridor. Jeff Sudmeier, CDOT, presented an update on CDOT’s plans to identify a long-term freight investment strategy and project priorities for funding through the FAST Act’s National Highway Freight Program (NHFP). NHFP will provide $15 million annually to Colorado starting in FY 2016. There are three freight projects within the DRCOG region, on Interstate 25, US-85 south near Louviers, and on US-85/Vasquez Boulevard.

Regional Transportation Committee Summary July 18, 2017 Page 2

CDOT is requesting DRCOG designate the area of US-85/Vasquez Boulevard from 52nd Avenue to 64th Avenue (which is within the DRCOG Denver-Aurora Urbanized Area boundary) as a Critical Urban Freight Corridor.

Doug Tisdale MOVED to recommend to the Board of Directors the designation of US-85/Vasquez Boulevard from 52nd Avenue (MP291.6) to 64th Avenue (MP 293.8) as a Critical Urban Freight Corridor. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Discussion on amendments to the 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Todd Cottrell presented the ten requested amendments to the 2018-2021 TIP. General Amendments

• 2007-094 Region 4 Hazard Elimination Pool (CDOT Region 4)

Add funding

• 2016-026 Broadway Reconstruction: Violet Ave to US-36 (Boulder)

Replace all federal STP-Metro funding with state RAMP funding as part of the CDOT de-federalization pilot program

• 2018-001 Region 1 ADA Projects (CDOT Region 1)

Adjust and add funding

Second Commitment in Principle • 2012-010 DRCOG Second Commitment to FasTracks Pool (DRCOG)

Funds will be removed from the pool to reflect the Southeast Corridor Partners’ drawdown of their allocated funds

• 2007-059 FasTracks Southeast Corridor Extension: Lincoln Ave to RidgeGate Pkwy (RTD)

The Second Commitment to FasTracks Pool funding allocated to the Southeast Corridor will be applied towards the base project scope as agreed upon by the Southeast Corridor Partners

National Highway Freight Program Projects

• 2001-154 US-85: Cook Ranch Rd to Meadows Pkwy Widening (CDOT Region 1)

Add new Freight funding and RPP funding transferred from the R1 RPP Pool (TIP ID 2016-057)

• New Project I-25 Central PEL (CDOT Region 1)

Transfer existing project from the R1 RPP Pool (TIP ID 2016-057) and add new Freight funding to create a new individually-depicted project

• New Project US-85: Vasquez Blvd from I-270/E. 56th Ave to E. 62nd Ave Operational Improvements (CDOT Region 1)

Transfer existing project from the Region 1 Design Program (TIP ID 2018-005) and add new Freight funding to create a new individually-depicted project

• 2018-005 Region 1 Design Program (CDOT Region 1)

Remove pool project and funding for I-270/Vasquez/60th Ave and transfer to new individually-depicted project listed above. Change pool project name

• 2016-057 Region 1 RPP Pool (CDOT Region 1)

Remove pool projects and funding for I-25 Central PEL, US-85 Design: Sedalia to Meadows, and US-85: Louviers to Sedalia and transfer to new individually-depicted projects listed above

Doug Tisdale MOVED to recommend to the Board of Directors the amendments to the 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Discussion on the FY 2018-FY 2019 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). Doug Rex presented the final draft FY2018-FY2019 UPWP. The UPWP outlines transportation planning tasks/activities to be conducted within the region using federal transportation planning funds for the period from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2019.

Regional Transportation Committee Summary July 18, 2017 Page 3

Doug Tisdale MOVED to recommend to the Board of Directors the draft FY2018-FY2019 Unified Planning Work Program. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Discussion on project selection for the Regional Transportation Operations (RTO) program. Greg MacKinnon presented the list of 24 projects selected from among 29 project applications (from nine project sponsors) received through the DRCOG call for applications. The total federal request amounted to about $26.3 million. Projects were ranked by staff and the project selections were reviewed and recommended by the RTO Working Group.

Doug Tisdale MOVED to recommend to the Regional Transportation Committee project selections for the Regional Transportation Operations (RTO) program. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Discussion on confirmation of seven (7) Special Interest seats on the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). Jacob Riger presented the recommendations for Special Interest seats on the Transportation Advisory Committee, as annually nominated by the DRCOG Board Chair. This year’s recommendations remained the same as the previous year’s selections. • ENVIRONMENT: Rick Pilgrim, Vice President, HDR Engineering • FREIGHT: Greg Fischer, Senior Vice President, Shannon & Wilson, Inc. • TDM/NON-MOTORIZED: Ted Heyd, Regional Policy Director, Bicycle Colorado • AVIATION: Tom Reed, Airport Planner, Denver International Airport • BUSINESS/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Steve Klausing, Exec. Vice President, Denver South

Economic Development Partnership • SENIORS: Sylvia Labrucherie, Chair, Board of Directors, Denver Regional Mobility and Access

Council (DRMAC) • NON-RTD TRANSIT: Hank Braaksma, Transportation Director, Seniors’ Resource Center

Heidi Williams asked for consideration of more north area representation. Mr. Riger noted special interest representation is subject expert-focused, not geographical. The TAC is well-balanced geographically through the county and local government representatives.

Herb Atchison MOVED to confirm the seven Special Interest seats on the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS

Member Comments/Other Matters

The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 a.m. The next meeting is August 15, 2017.

ATTACHMENT B

To: Chair and Members of the Regional Transportation Committee From: Todd Cottrell, Senior Transportation Planner 303-480-6737 or tcottrell@drcog.org

Meeting Date Agenda Category Agenda Item #

August 15, 2017 Action 4

SUBJECT

DRCOG’s transportation planning process allows for Board-approved amendments to the current Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), taking place on an as-needed basis. Typically, these amendments involve the addition or deletion of projects, or adjustments to existing projects and do not impact funding for other projects in the TIP.

PROPOSED ACTION/RECOMMENDATIONS

DRCOG staff recommends approval of the proposed amendments because they comply with the current Board-adopted TIP Amendment Procedures.

ACTION BY OTHERS

July 24, 2017 – TAC recommended approval.

SUMMARY

The TIP projects to be amended are shown below and listed in Attachment 1. The proposed policy amendments to the 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program have been found to conform with the State Implementation Plan for Air Quality.

• 2016-059 C-470 Managed Toll Express Lanes: I-25 to Wadsworth Revise funding, add new funding sources to reflect final financing package

• New Project C-470: Wadsworth to I-70 New project for study and pre-construction activities

• 2016-080 I-25 S PEL: Monument to C-470 Add funding for NEPA activities between Monument and Castle Rock

PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS/ACTIONS

N/A

PROPOSED MOTION

Move to recommend to the Board of Directors the attached amendments to the 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

ATTACHMENTS

1. Proposed TIP amendments 2. Colorado HPTE letter to the C-470 Corridor Coalition Steering Committee, and

Steering Committee response, regarding the C-470 Managed Lanes TIP Amendment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you need additional information, please contact Todd Cottrell, Senior Transportation Planner, Transportation Planning and Operations at 303-480-6737 or tcottrell@drcog.org.

ATTACHMENT 1 Policy Amendments – July 2017 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program

Page 1 of 5

2016-059: Adjust TIFIA to final loan amount, reduce RAMP funding to $52 Million (most shown in Prior Funding), increase Bonds/Loans, and add Water Quality and Operations funding. The amended amount reflects the current financing package going towards pre-construction and construction

Existing

ATTACHMENT 1 Policy Amendments – July 2017 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program

Page 2 of 5

Revised Funding Table

ATTACHMENT 1 Policy Amendments – July 2017 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program

Page 3 of 5

New Project: Add new project

New Project

ATTACHMENT 1 Policy Amendments – July 2017 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program

Page 4 of 5

2016-080: Add RAMP funding for NEPA activities for the gap section between Monument and Castle Rock

Existing

ATTACHMENT 1 Policy Amendments – July 2017 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program

Page 5 of 5

Revised Scope and Funding Table

ATTACHMENT 2

ATTACHMENT 2

ATTACHMENT 2

ATTACHMENT 2

ATTACHMENT 2

ATTACHMENT 2

ATTACHMENT 2

ATTACHMENT C

To: Chair and Members of the Regional Transportation Committee

From: Matthew Helfant, Senior Transportation Planner 303-480-6731 or mhelfant@drcog.org

Meeting Date Agenda Category Agenda Item #

August 15, 2017 Informational 5

SUBJECT

Presentation on Denver’s Vision Zero Action Plan

PROPOSED ACTION/RECOMMENDATIONS

N/A

ACTION BY OTHERS

N/A

SUMMARY

Denver’s Vision Zero Action Plan seeks to reduce and eventually eliminate fatal traffic crashes through infrastructure projects, policies and programs, increased coordination among partners, and improvements to data and transparency. Denver began laying the groundwork for its Vision Zero initiative in 2015. During his 2017 State of the City address, Mayor Hancock announced the city’s commitment to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries on Denver’s roadways by 2030. The Action Plan is a five-year approach that sets the City and its partners on a clear path to achieving this goal. Denver developed the Plan in coordination with dozens of City agencies and partners, including the Denver Vision Zero Coalition, CDOT, Denver Health & Hospital Authority, DRCOG, RTD, Denver Public Schools, Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, AAA Colorado, and the Mayor’s pedestrian and bicycle advisory committees. Rachael Bronson from Denver staff will present highlights of Denver’s Vision Zero Action Plan at the August RTC meeting. DRCOG will soon be initiating a regional Vision Zero effort as described in the 2018-2019 Unified Planning Work Program approved last month.

PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS/ACTIONS

N/A

PROPOSED MOTION

N/A

ATTACHMENTS

1. Denver Presentation Link to Denver Vision Zero Action Plan: http://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/705/documents/visionzero/Denver-Vision-Zero-Action-Plan-draft-July2017.pdf

Regional Transportation Committee August 15, 2017 Page 2

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you need additional information, please contact Matthew Helfant, Senior Transportation Planner, at 303-480-6731 or mhelfant@drcog.org; or Rachael Bronson, City and County of Denver, at 720-865-2658 or rachael.bronson@denvergov.org.

1

Vision Zero

Action PlanDRCOG

Regional Transportation Committee

August 15, 2017

Vision Zero

Eliminate traffic fatalities through a data-

driven, transparent, and multi-agency

approach.

Recognize that people will make mistakes and

build a transportation system that minimizes

the consequences of human error.

Focus on equity.

ATTACHMENT 1

2

Data Analysis Key Findings

• Deaths are unacceptable and

preventable.

• In Colorado, motor vehicle

crashes account for more than

twice the number of deaths as

homicides.

• Traffic deaths have risen over

time, and our crash rate is much

higher than most of our peer

cities.

Why is Vision Zero Needed?

ATTACHMENT 1

3

Behaviors:

• Seatbelts were not used in nearly one-third of motor vehicle fatalities

• In over half of motorcyclist fatalities, the rider was not wearing a helmet

• Other behaviors such as failure to yield, careless/reckless driving,

impairment, hit and runs

Context:

• Most fatal crashes occurred at mid-block locations

• The majority of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities occurred in unlit

conditions

• 50% of fatalities on 5% of street network

Issues to Address

How We Got Here

Data Analysis & Best Practice Review

-Intensive data analysis

-Similar Vision Zero Plans

-Proven countermeasures

-City policies

Partner Discussions

-Working Group meetings:

Speed & Street Design

Impairment

Safety Culture

-Stakeholder meetings

Public Surveys

-Online Map

-Intercept surveys

Thousands reached

ATTACHMENT 1

4

Intercept Surveys

• April 2017

• 4 locations, nearly

200 responses

• Biggest concerns:

speeding, distracted

driving, and crossing

times

• Top wish for City

action: build safe

streets for everyone

ATTACHMENT 1

5

Map-based Survey• >2800 responses

• Biggest concerns:

speeding, failure to

yield, and other

• Most people

responded as:

pedestrian taking work

commute trips

Map-based Survey

ATTACHMENT 1

6

Action Plan TimelineFebruary – April: TAC Working Group meetings

5/31: TAC draft recommendations

6/14: Comments due from TAC members

6/29: Core Group meeting to review draft Action Plan

7/19: TAC meeting: draft Action Plan

7/20: draft Action Plan open for public comment

8/11: draft Action Plan closes for public comment

9/7: TAC meeting: final Action Plan

Action Plan Components

• Front Matter• Mayor’s commitment, remembrances

• Our Call to Action

• Let’s Take Action• Strategies, actions, benchmarks

• Positive Changes• Recent projects, relevant history

• How We Developed the Plan

• How to be Part of Vision Zero

ATTACHMENT 1

7

Data Analysis Key Findings

This is a five-year Action Plan for

eliminating traffic deaths by 2030.

Someone loses their life every six

days while traveling in our city. We do

not have to accept this as inevitable.

Our Call to Action

Denver’s Needs

1. Enhance Processes and Collaboration

2. Build Safe Streets for Everyone

3. Create Safe Speeds

4. Promote a Culture of Safety

5. Improve Data and Be Transparent

ATTACHMENT 1

8

An Equitable Plan

• Avoiding actions that have unintended

consequences

• Prioritizing efforts towards Communities of

Concern

• Choosing the right benchmarks

Data Analysis Key Findings

Focus Areas

Focusing efforts on the most dangerous streets and

in the most vulnerable communities is a responsible

use of limited City resources.

ATTACHMENT 1

9

High Injury

Network

All Modes

• 123 miles

• Around 5% of

Denver’s street

network

• Approximately

50% of fatalities

occurred on HIN

Communities of Concern

(CoC)

30% of Denver but 38% all

traffic deaths and 44% of

pedestrian deaths

ATTACHMENT 1

10

Data Analysis Key Findings

What We’re Doing30th Avenue & Downing Street: RRFB

Data Analysis Key Findings

What We’re DoingMorrison Road: medians and bump-outs

ATTACHMENT 1

11

Data Analysis Key Findings

What We’re Doing13th Avenue & Broadway: left turn arrow and LPI

Data Analysis Key Findings

What We’re Doing5th Avenue & Lincoln Street: temporary treatments

ATTACHMENT 1

12

Rachael Bronson

Rachael.bronson@denvergov.org

720-865-2658

ATTACHMENT 1

ATTACHMENT D

To: Chair and Members of the Regional Transportation Committee

From: Jacob Riger, Transportation Planning Manager 303-480-6751 or jriger@drcog.org

Meeting Date Agenda Category Agenda Item #

August 15, 2017 Informational 6

SUBJECT

Presentation on transit studies relating to the Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission.

PROPOSED ACTION/RECOMMENDATIONS

N/A

ACTION BY OTHERS

N/A

SUMMARY

SB-153 re-constituted the existing Southwest Chief Commission to establish the Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission. The purpose of this new Commission is twofold:

• Continue to oversee the preservation and expansion of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief rail service in southeastern Colorado, and

• Facilitate the development and operation of a Front Range passenger rail system along the I-25 corridor.

SB-153 also charges the Commission with developing draft legislation by December 1st to “facilitate the development of a front range passenger rail system that provides passenger rail service in and along the Interstate 25 corridor and that is a well-integrated component of a modern, efficient, and cost-effective multimodal transportation system.” The Commission includes members from the previous Southwest Chief Commission as well as representatives from RTD, BNSF and Union Pacific Railroads, and the four Front Range MPOs, including DRCOG. Non-voting members include staff from CDOT and Amtrak. More information about the Commission is available here. The Commission held its first meeting on July 31st and received several helpful presentations on the status of planning for passenger rail and other long range transit planning efforts in Colorado. David Krutsinger, Deputy Director of CDOT’s Division of Transit and Rail, will present on this issue at the August RTC meeting.

PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS/ACTIONS

N/A

PROPOSED MOTION

N/A

ATTACHMENT

1. CDOT Presentation

Regional Transportation Committee August 15, 2017 Page 2

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you need additional information, please contact Jacob Riger, Transportation Planning Manager, at 303-480-6751 or jriger@drcog.org; or David Krutsinger, CDOT, at 303 757-9008 or david.krutsinger@state.co.us.

1

Presentation to the DRCOG RTCAugust 15, 2017

2

System-wide

FY 2015-2016July – June

FY 2016-2017July – June

Riders 102,577 155,864

Revenue $1,014,781 $1,551,435

Fare Recovery

38% 53%

FY = State Fiscal Year.

ATTACHMENT 1

2

3

FY = State Fiscal Year.

North Route FY 2015-2016July - June

FY 2016-2017July – June

Riders 42,959 64,642

Revenue $345,748 $500,785

Fare Recovery 39% 55%

South RouteFY 2015-2016

July - JuneFY 2016-2017

July – June

Riders 40,404 57,306

Revenue $365,427 $503,965

Fare Recovery 28% 41%

4

ATTACHMENT 1

3

5

6RTD = Regional Transportation District

ATTACHMENT 1

4

7

CDOT Rail Planning Activities

State Freight & Passenger Rail Plan

late 2017/early 2018

Interregional Connectivity Study (ICS)

Complete July 2017

North I-25 EIS Commuter Rail Update (2015)

8

Interregional Connectivity Study (ICS)Tasks 1-4, 2012-2014

IOS = Initial Operating Segment from Fort Collins to Briargate, from total corridor Fort Collins to Pueblo.CR = Commuter Rail, HS = High Speed Rail.

Vis

ion

Net

wo

rk3

40

Mile

s, $

30

B (

20

13

$)

Init

ial O

per

atin

g Se

gmen

t (I

OS)

1

32

Mile

s, 2

/3rd

sB

enef

its,

1/3

rdC

ost

ATTACHMENT 1

5

9

Interregional Connectivity Study (ICS)Task 5 Alignment Alternatives (2016-2017)

Alternative 1 - ICS IOS Alternative 2 - Southeast LRT and North Metro CR as HS Rail

Alternative 3 – East Corridor CR and North Metro CR as HS Rail

IOS = Initial Operating Segment from Fort Collins to Briargate, from total corridor Fort Collins to Pueblo.CR = Commuter Rail, HS = High Speed Rail.

10

ICS Results Summary – 2017$Alternative Description CAPEX

(B$) OPEX

(M$/yr) Ridership

(M/yr) Revenue (M$/yr)

OPEX Ratio

B/C Ratio

1

$11.5 $86.3 13.6 $198 2.30 1.63

2

$9.7 $79.6 11.6 $156 1.96 1.63

3

$11.2 $98.2 10.6 $168 1.71 1.56

CAPEX = capital expenditure, OPEX = operating expenditure, B/C = Benefit/Cost, B$ = Billions of dollars, M$ = Millions of dollars.

ATTACHMENT 1

6

11

Interregional Connectivity Study (ICS)Project Leadership Team Recommendations

Alternative 1 - ICS IOS Alternative 2 - Southeast LRT and North Metro CR as HS Rail

Alternative 3 – East Corridor CR and North Metro CR as HS Rail

Carry Forward Carry Forward Place Aside

12

Interregional Connectivity Study (ICS)

• No community wants to be relegated to “Phase 2”

• Colorado Springs wants more study on how DIA and

COS airports interact with rail

• Use of RTD track did not reduce costs significantly

enough…Consider other ideas such as using Castle

Rock – Littleton – DUS corridor on the South I-25

Corridor.

• Refer to North I-25 Commuter Rail Update for lower-

cost option considered there.

Summary of Key Comments

FRA = Federal Railroad Administration, COS = Colorado Springs Airport, DIA = Denver International Airport.

ATTACHMENT 1

7

13

North I-25 EIS Commuter Rail Update• $684 M in 2009$

• $819 M in 2014$

• $1.2 B - $1.4 B 2014$

• $1.4 B - $1.6 B 2017$

EIS = Environmental Impact Statement

Inflation ≈4%/yr

Scope Changes

Inflation ≈4%/yr

14

$55 M

$75 M

Bustang (w/ future Park & Rides) Commuter Rail + RTD

$1.6 B

$2.1 B

*Includes Vehicles, 2017$

$6.1 B

$4.3 B

High Speed Rail ICS

*Includes Vehicles, 2017$*Includes Vehicles, 2017$

$150 M* $4.0 B* $11.5 B*

Front Range Transit & Rail Options

ATTACHMENT 1

8

15

Front Range Transit & Rail Options

1 hr 25 min

2 hr 15 min

Bu

stan

g(E

xist

ng)

Co

mm

ute

r R

ail +

RTD

1 hr 45 min

1 hr 40 min

Hig

h S

pee

d R

ail

36 min

63 min 46 min

54 min

Hig

h S

pee

d R

ail

16

State Freight & Passenger Rail Plan

• Federal Railroad Administration requirement

to remain eligible for intercity & high(er)

speed intercity passenger rail funding.

• Used in Federal Transit Administration

documents, i.e. State Transit Plan, to remain

eligible “transit” funding.

ATTACHMENT 1

9

17This page only, COS = Colorado Springs generically, not specific to the airport, FTC = Fort Collins, PnR = Park & Ride.

Funding Sources

18

Southwest Chief & Front Range Passenger Rail Commission

(SB 17-153, signed into law May 22, 2017)

SB = Senate Bill

ATTACHMENT 1

10

Southwest Chief & Front Range Rail Commission Purpose(SB 17-153)

19

• Continue Amtrak Southwest Chief Line track

rehabilitation, expansion to Pueblo, and

consider Walsenburg service

• Facilitate the development of Front Range

Passenger Rail, including draft legislation due

by December 1, 2017

• Authority to receive & expend funds

Opportunities & Challenges

20

Opportunities

• Population, VMT, congestion growth faster than

highway lane miles are added

• Transit use growing through FasTracks, MAX BRT,

Bustang, Outrider, PPRTA & others

• Millennials (for now) supporting flexible travel

Challenges

• Funding growing slower than population & congestion

• Fixed Transit (rail, BRT) projects are very costly,

even though they return large benefits

• Agreeing on an implementation strategy:

• incremental funding vs. whole-corridor

• grow bus into rail vs. rail extensions

ATTACHMENT 1

11

Next Steps

21

• SWC & FRRC: legislative report by December 1st

• CDOT Complete “State Rail Plan” by late 2017 or early

2018 to maintain funding eligibility w/ FRA

• CDOT South I-25 Planning & Environmental Linkage Study

for Monument – Castle Rock, and also E-470, by mid 2018

• Walk-before-you-run strategy with Bustang unless and until

there is political & financial support for more

• Continue to seek balance of travel time, price-point, and

construction cost, all tied to public support

ATTACHMENT 1