HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240935.tiffApril 15, 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 Buttigicg
US Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590
RE: Support for North 1-25, Segment 5 Safety Project Discretionary Grant Application - MPDG 2025/26
Dear Secretary Buttigieg:
The Weld County Board of County Commissioners are writing to express our strong support for the North Front Range Metropolitan
Planning Organization (NFRMPO) MPDG 2025/2026 application, in partnership with CDOT, for the North I-25, Segment 5 Project .
In late 2003, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) began for the North I-25 Corridor to seek transportation solutions to provide modal
altematives; correct geometric deficiencies; improve safety, mobility, and accessibility; and replace aging and obsolete infrastructure. The
improvements identified in the EIS and documented in the Record of Decision (ROD) are being implemented in a phased and strategic
approach based on safety priority and funding.
Originally, improvements along Segment 5 were not scheduled to be funded until 2035 or later. However, with Weld and Larimer County
being the two fastest growing counties in Colorado, the need for infrastructure advancement is now. Northern Colorado communities
consistently rank among the top 15 fastest -growing metro areas in the nation. Traffic volume projections for these communities show
continued growth with I-25 North exceeding 140,000 vehicles per day in the year 2050, an approximate 65% increase from today's average
daily traffic.
The Segment 5 project is needed to link improvements to the north and south that are nearing completion to ensure the corridor will operate
in a safe and consistent manner. Segment 5 is the last 6 -mile, two-lane directional roadway out of an approximate 60 -mile corridor, creating
a dangerous bottleneck for roadway users whose expectation is a 3 -lane road. The Segment 5 improvements will:
• Manage growth safely and responsibly by significantly reducing injuries and fatalities along this reach of I-25 North that carries
over 85,000 vehicles everyday (including over 10% truck traffic).
• Advance safe and efficient transportation equitably and sustainably by increasing trip reliability and operational efficiency for
all roadway users, including the Bustang bus services.
• Reduce greenhouse emissions, include nature -based climate solutions that increase resiliency and sustainability by improving
the level of service.
The I-25 corridor is a critical route for Colorado and the nation; the local governments and private sector have become strong advocates
for immediate EIS implementation, which is evident by the sizable financial investments made in recent years. To date, CDOT and local
agency and developer partners have contributed --$875M out of the $1.70 in funding for the 1-
25 North Corridor improvements that have been or will be completed by 2028.
Thank you for your consideration of the 2025/2026 MPDG Grant for the 1-25 North Segment 5 Project. We look forward to working
together her to improve safety, provide more reliable and equitable mobility options, and promote economic prosperity for all on this
critical corridor.
Since
Kevin D. Ross
Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners
CO A ' O CQ +; ar15
04 /22/214
2024-0935
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