HomeMy WebLinkAbout20213272.tiffNovember 15, 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
Mr. Douglas Gascon
Office of Policy and Planning
Federal Railroad Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE; Room W38-212
Washington, DC 20590
RE: Support for Colorado's US 85 / UPPR / 120th Avenue Grade-Separation-CRISI
Grant Application
Dear Mr. Gascon:
Weld County fully supports the US 85/120th Avenue Interchange CRISI Grant to advance this
critical improvement project to the US 85 corridor, specifically focused on separating rail and
highway operations to improve safety, freight movement, mobility, and accessibility. We
understand that this single project can have a substantial effect on the region. To that end, we are
pleased to provide this letter of support for Commerce City's CRISI Grant application for the US
85/120th Avenue Interchange. We share in the commitment to this phase, as well as future phases
of this project.
Northern Colorado is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and the fastest in Colorado.
The US 85 corridor is the rail and highway transportation backbone of the region. A new
interchange significantly improves the safety for all transportation modes serving numerous
communities and industries relying heavily upon the railway and highway to deliver goods and
resources. This project will support the economic vitality of the region by improving the movement
of freight commodities associated with agriculture, energy markets (renewable and fossil fuels),
and other sectors, reduce barriers separating farm -to -market workforces from employment centers,
and support new commercial and industrial development.
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; another doubling in usage is
projected by 2040. These increases will continue to exacerbate the challenging issues faced today.
The issues of this corridor caused by the minimal distance between the highway and railroad
have negatively impacted the corridor's safety, capacity, and mobility with respect to the
movement of freight through the region, which also has a negative impact on air quality due to
increased emissions.
2021-3272
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OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PHONE: 970-400-4200
FAX: 970-336-7233
1150 O STREET
P.O. BOX 758
GREELEY, CO 80632
Commerce City's US 85/120th Avenue Interchange CRISI Grant application provides the critical
next step to fixing this vital freight corridor and will ensure your program will make significant,
long-term improvements to America's transportation infrastructure. Please let us help you
implement this significant safety, rail, freight, and highway project by constructing this critical
interchange.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Steve Moreno, Chair
Mike Freeman
Lori Same
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