John W. Hickenlooper

01/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/10/2025 10:34

Hickenlooper, Bennet Welcome Over $111 Million for Colorado Infrastructure Projects

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act investments will help 11 communities across Colorado

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet celebrated over $111 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for 11 projects across Colorado.

"Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law keeps delivering for Colorado. This time that means a safer US 50 east of Pueblo, improved intersections and bike lanes, and more connected communities," said Hickenlooper.

"Through investments like these, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act continue to support Colorado as we work to meet our state's changing needs - from improving our roadways to strengthening local economies," said Bennet. "I'm grateful that the Department of Transportation heard our calls to support many of these projects."

The investments are made possible through various grant programs at DOT, including the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant, Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG), Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant (RCP), and the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) programs. Many of these were created or received historic levels of funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

"Thank you to the USDOT for awarding $29.5 million in MPDG grant funding to improve traffic safety and mobility in our fast-growing community and North Front Range Region. These funds will be used - alongside local, State, and voter approved TIFIA funding - to construct new interchanges on US Highway 34 at 35th and 47th Avenues to reduce crashes, eliminate congestion and deliver improvements to regional air quality and equity goals. This funding will bring needed improvements to regional connectivity along US Highway 34, and we appreciate the continued support of Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper in securing important funds like these for the benefit of the City of Greeley," said John Gates, Mayor, City of Greeley.

"Thank you, Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, for securing the Railroad Crossing Elimination grant for planning the overpass at Vine and Timberline Roads. This project builds on the success of the recently completed Vine and Lemay overpass which also provides increased safety and mobility. The overpass funded by this grant will help Fort Collins on our path to Vision Zero," said Jeni Arndt, Mayor, City of Fort Collins.

"Larimer County is honored to receive a RAISE grant from the Federal Highway Administration, moving the CR 50E (Country Club Road) corridor plan to the design phase," said Kristin Stephens, Commissioner and Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, Larimer County. "This funding brings us closer to vital safety improvements for the rapidly growing northeast Fort Collins area. We deeply appreciate the support of Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and Congressman Joe Neguse."

"Receiving this grant provides us a great opportunity to work with our community to move the Pitkin County airport forward," said Patti Clapper, Commissioner, Pitkin County.

"Mesa County ​is thrilled to receive $21.36 million in RAISE grant funding for the Orchard Avenue Safety and Connectivity Project - a truly unprecedented investment in our community. This funding will transform safety, mobility, and accessibility by adding sidewalks and bike lanes and replacing critical infrastructure such as bridges," said Cody Davis, Commissioner, Mesa County. "We are deeply grateful to Senator Bennet and his team for their support and advocacy for Mesa County. This funding reflects the strength of collaboration between local and federal partners, and we're excited to see the positive impact this project will have on our community."

"The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority is extremely grateful to Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, for helping RFTA secure RAISE funding to plan an extension of RFTA's VelociRFTA Bus Rapid Transit system in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys. This planning work will allow RFTA to better connect our regions communities with fast and easy to use Bus Rapid Transit service," said Kurt Ravenschlag, CEO, Roaring Fork Transportation Authority.

A full list of projects in Colorado is below.

Applicant Project Name Grant Amount Awarded Description
Otero County US 50 SHIFT Project MPDG Rural $40,500,000 The project will install twelve individual passing lanes across five segments of the US 50 High Plains Freight Corridor between the urban center of Pueblo and the Kansas state line.
City of Greeley Mobility Enhancements for Regional Growth and Equity (MERGE) MPDG Rural $29,439,944 The project will convert US 34 and 35th Avenues and US 34 and 47th Avenues into grade-separated interchanges. The project also includes a shared-use underpass of US 34 that supports regional trail connectivity in all directions and provides access to the regional transit station.
Mesa County Orchard Avenue (E 1/2 Road) Safety and Connectivity Project RAISE $21,359,962 This project will build ADA sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes, bridge replacements for pedestrian access, lighting, curb and gutter, and intersection safety within the existing right of way of approximately 1.75 miles of the rural Orchard Avenue between 29 1/2 Rd and Warrior Way.
City of Pueblo Filling EVSE Gaps in Pueblo, CO Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program $11,520,192 Pueblo will receive $11.5 million to install 260 EV charging ports near low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
Pitkin County Pitkin County Airport Multimodal Options for Decarbonization, Efficiency, and Safety (MODES) Planning Project RAISE $2,000,000 This project will establish plans for the transformation of the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport into a mobility hub that integrates with the regional transportation network.
City of Commerce City East 60th Avenue (60th Ave) Multimodal Connections Study RCP $1,600,000 The East 60th Avenue Multimodal Connections Study - Brighton Boulevard to Vasquez Boulevard would conduct planning work to comprehensively evaluate connectivity needs, determine a solution to reconnect the Adams Heights Neighborhood, which is severed from the community as a result of rail lines, high-speed highways and an absence of sidewalks or dedicated bike-lanes, to essential educational opportunities and necessary amenities, such as grocery stores and the recreation center, and produce and environmental study for future construction efforts.
County of Park Rebuilding Bailey: US 285 Safety and Mobility RCP $1,200,000 The Rebuilding Bailey project supports the development of a Rehabilitation and Conductivity Master Plan and other related connectivity planning efforts, centered around safety improvements along downtown Bailey's Main Street and surrounding space. The goals of the project are to improve safety and resiliency during emergencies and road closures, facilitate pedestrian pathways and community spaces, revitalize public spaces, and update public infrastructure all while balancing historical preservation.
City and County of Denver Central Denver/BNSF Railroad Crossing Elimination Project RCE $1,200,000 The project includes activities to evaluate six at-grade railroad crossings on BNSF infrastructure in Denver.
Larimer County County Road 50E Corridor Planning & Design RAISE $1,160,850 This project will fund the planning and design of multimodal and safety improvements for Larimer County Road 50E.
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority VelociRFTA BRT Extension Study RAISE $1,028,450 This project will fund the development of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for extending the State Highway 82 VelociRFTA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane on a new alignment through the City of Glenwood Springs to the Interstate 70 corridor.
City of Fort Collins Fort Collins Vine/Timberline Rail Grade Separation RCE $765,616 The project will result in one or more grade separated crossing, reduce congestion, improve safety, improve system efficiency, add multimodal options, and provide much-needed access for disadvantaged neighborhoods.

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