HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230491.tiffFebruary 7, 2023
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PHONE: 970-400-4200
FAX: 970-336-7233
1150 O STREET
P.O. BOX 758
GREELEY, CO 80632
Office of Infrastructure Finance and Innovation
Office of the Secretary of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC, 20590
RE: Support of US 85/120th Avenue Interchange - RAISE Grant Application
Dear Secretary Buttigieg,
Weld County fully supports the US 85/120th Avenue Interchange project to provide much -needed improvements
specifically focused on enhancing highway operations to improve safety, congestion, mobility, and accessibility. To
that end, we are pleased to provide this letter of support for Adams County's RAISE Grant application for the US
85/120th Avenue Interchange.
The project will construct an overpass over US 85 to eliminate the at -grade crossing that currently leads to cars
experiencing significant delay when the railroad crossing is blocked. In addition, the overpass will make safer
pedestrian and bicycle connections to Riverside Regional Park west of US 85 to residents east of US 85 and the
railroad. This project will improve the everyday travel experience of workers, residents, and visitors by significantly
increasing safety for all transportation modes served at this interchange. The US 85 corridor is a transportation
backbone for the region and the East 120th Avenue corridor is a major connector to Denver International Airport.
Overall corridor usage on US 85 has doubled since the 1990s causing a host of operational and safety issues that
interfere with the movement of goods and people. Traffic is projected to double again by 2040. These increases will
continue to exacerbate the challenging issues faced today at the US 85/120th Avenue interchange. These conditions
also have a negative impact on air quality in the region due to increased emissions.
This interchange will improve the movement of freight commodities associated with agriculture, energy markets
(renewable and fossil fuels), and other sectors. It will also reduce barriers separating farm -to -market workforces from
employment centers and support new commercial and industrial development. Additionally, this project will improve
the everyday travel experience of workers, residents, and visitors by reducing delays and improving safety.
Adams County's US 85/120th Avenue Interchange RAISE Grant application is the right project to make significant
long -tern consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvements to America's transportation network. We look
forward to partnering with you to implement this essential safety, rail, freight, and highway project for the benefit of
our communities and the entire region.
Sincerely,
Mike Freeman
Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners
CokMun; co.A-;4n S
02/27/23
2023-0491
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