HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230650.tiffFebruary 23, 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
The Honorable Pete Buttigieg
Secretary of Transportation
US Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590
RE: RAISE grant funding support for the Interstate 76 (1-76) Regional Improvements for Safety and
Efficiency (RISE) Project
Dear Secretary Buttigieg:
The Weld County Commissioners request your partnership on the rural I-76 RISE project. RISE will
reconstruct approximately 2 miles of concrete pavement, replace four bridges and two concrete box
culverts, convert a partial clover interchange into a tight diamond, as well as install a transit facility from
which users could utilize Bustang Outrider Bus Service to access Fort Morgan, Greeley, Fort Collins, and
Denver to the west and Sterling and other communities to the East. Ultimately, RISE will improve
resiliency, efficiency, safety, and mobility along one of Colorado's major freight corridors through these
rurally disproportionately impacted northeastern communities.
RISE is fully designed, environmentally cleared, and shovel ready to improve the I-76 corridor, which is
part of both the National Freight Highway Network and National Highway System making it a critical
freight route and key economic driver in Colorado. Additionally, this project will sit immediately upon the
Ports to Plain Corridor, as well as the Heartland Express. These transportation routes are a critical
component of our local, state, and federal economies, and even of our international trade systems.
Based on historic and projected population and employment levels, both passenger and freight traffic
volumes will continue to increase and impact 1-76. This project will address many of the physical
constraints on this road, which will improve safety for the traveling public and enhance connectivity to the
rest of the freight network in the United States.
The rural communities that lie along this corridor value safety, systems preservation, and connections to
other rural areas. They depend on this regional corridor for freight transport, to facilitate tourism, recreation,
and access to natural resources for economic livelihood.
The Weld County Board of County Commissioners supports this rural RAISE grant application and hopes
the USDOT rises to the occasion on partnering with Morgan County on this very important regional RISE
Project.
Sincerely,
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Mike Freeman
Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners
CoMMun; Cow-{ oS
03/08723
2023-0650
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