HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211522.tiffJune 7, 2021
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 U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Re: Greeley Regional Interchange Project (GRIP) RAISE Grant Application
Honorable Secretary Buttigieg:
I am writing to express Weld County's support for the City of Greeley's application for funding under the DOT's Rebuilding
American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program for the Greeley Regional Interchange Project (`GRIP' or
'the Project').
GRIP is a critical component of a multifaceted program of multimodal improvements to the US34 corridor, a key regional highway
connecting Northern Colorado's largest regional population and economic centers. Sustained growth and economic development
along the corridor have increased the need to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and improve mobility. Consistent with objectives
of long-term state, regional, and local planning, construction and operation of the US 34/35th Avenue interchange will improve
overall multimodal mobility in Greeley and along this critical regional route. GRIP will enable future transit services between
Greeley, Loveland, and Fort Collins and the Project's enhancement of local and regional mobility and accessibility will in turn,
benefit current and future businesses and services that support the regional economy.
GRIP comprises the grade separation of US 34 over 35th Avenue in the City of Greeley; improvements to 8,000 feet of federal
highway corridor on either side of the interchange including the addition of one auxiliary lane in each direction; and the construction
of a tight diamond configuration with a partial cloverleaf on -ramp in the southwest quadrant of the interchange. Additional work
will enable future local and regional transit connections while also improving accessibility to the regional shared -use trail adjacent
to the corridor. The construction and operation of the interchange will improve safety and efficiency along the regional connection
corridor and on 35th Avenue through the removal of traffic signals, thereby allowing the free flow of east -west traffic, and the
elimination of at -grade bike/pedestrian crossing on US34.
The benefits and economic impacts which the GRIP's delivery and operation will deliver arc diversified and myriad. It will provide
enhanced local and regional mobility and connectivity through the elimination of signals and grade separation thereby allowing the
free flow of passenger and freight traffic. The Project's implementation will generate significant safety improvements for both
vehicular and active transportation. Grade separation of US34 traffic, in addition to improving the efficiency of east -west travel
along the corridor, will provide safer pedestrian and bike crossing, which is especially important given several schools and major
retail centers located directly adjacent to the Project's location. The elimination of traffic signals at the existing US 34/35th Avenue
intersection will alleviate recurring congestion on the regional connector while also lowering greenhouse gases along the corridor
through the reduction of idling emissions.
The Weld County Board of Commissioners are very passionate about transportation alternatives that promote and facilitate safe
and efficient transportation system for all users. We hope you agree and your federal partnership for the Greeley Regional
Interchange Improvement Project is seriously considered given its importance in enhancing regional mobility and supporting the
economic vitality of the Northern Front Range and Colorado.
Sincerely,
Steve Moreno
Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners
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