HomeMy WebLinkAbout20221087.tiffApril 5, 2022
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
SUBJECT: Support for Boulder County's CO 119 Diagonal Project 2022 RAISE Grant Application
Dear Secretary Buttigieg,
Weld County writes to voice our support of the 2022 RAISE grant application for Boulder County's CO 119 Diagonal
Mobility Improvements: Safely Connecting Communities with Reliable, Equitable Transit & Mobility Project (CO 119
Diagonal Project).
Colorado Highway 119 (CO 119) from Weld County to Boulder County, through Longmont, is a vital corridor that serves
commuters as far away as Weld County to the east and Larimer County to the north. By the year 2040, the corridor is
expected to see a 25% increase in vehicular traffic. As we manage growth responsibly, equitably, and sustainably, we seek
transportation improvements that improve safety, accessibility, and reliability.
Our support for the CO 119 Diagonal Project is echoed throughout the northwest region, as evidenced through the Regional
Transportation District's (RTD) 2014 Northwest Area Mobility Study and 2019 SH 119 Multimodal Planning and
Environmental Linkages Study. We welcome the CO 119 Diagonal Project, which will:
• Create a time advantage for transit users through Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, including new stations, bus
queue bypass lanes, and transit -only signalization, so travel by bus takes half the time it currently does;
• Prevent potentially 425 vehicular crashes over the 20 -year life cycle of the project by constructing safer
intersections for all travelers at CO 52 and Airport Road; and,
• Develop a more equitable and connected transportation system by integrating BRT stations, Park -n -Rides,
pedestrian crossings, and a commuter bikeway so community members can switch travel modes safely and reliably.
In alignment with our philosophy of collaboration along this corridor, the $25M RAISE grant request will be leveraged by
state, local, and regional funding to complete the $124M program planned for the corridor.
Thank you for your consideration of the 2022 RAISE grant application for Boulder County's CO 119 Diagonal Project. We
look forward to working together to improve safety, provide more reliable and equitable mobility options, and promote
economic prosperity for all.
Sine
Scott . James
Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners
Co IAMUr1 .Cck-Hol/1S
W/I3/22
2022-1087
Hello