HomeMy WebLinkAbout20242555.tiffSeptember 19, 2024
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PHONE: 970-400-4200
FAX: 970-336-7233
1150 O STREET
P.O. BOX 758
GREELEY, CO 80632
The Honorable Pete Buttigieg
Secretary of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC, 20590
Dear Secretary Buttigieg,
The Weld County Board of Commissioners wish to express our support of Commerce City's
application to obtain a 2024 Rail Crossing Elimination (RCE) grant for the US 85/120th Avenue
Grade -Separation project. If approved, the resources from this grant would be used to enhance
highway operations and improve the area's safety, congestion, mobility, and accessibility.
The US 85 corridor is a transportation backbone for the region and the East 120th Avenue corridor
is a major route to Denver International Airport. Since the 1990s, overall usage of US 85 doubled
and traffic is projected to double again by 2040. Operational and safety challenges affecting this
intersection interfere with the movement of goods and people and exacerbate air quality issues in
the region due to increased emissions.
Commerce City's Grade -Separation project will construct an overpass over US 85 to eliminate the
at -grade crossing of the Union Pacific Railroad that currently leads to significant delays for vehicle
traffic and facilitate safer pedestrian and bicycle connections to Riverside Regional Park. The
movement of freight commodities associated with agriculture, renewable and fossil fuel energy
markets, and other sectors will be improved and barriers separating farm -to -market workforces
from employment centers will be reduced. Addressing existing challenges will further support new
commercial and industrial development and improve the safety and daily travel experience for
those utilizing any transportation mode at this new grade -separation.
We appreciate the opportunity to highlight Commerce City's application for a 2024 RCE grant
and respectfully request your agency's full and fair review of their application consistent with all
applicable policies and procedures.
Thank you, in advance, for your time and attention to this matter.
Sincere
Kevin D. Ross
Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners
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