Category: Transportation

As part of the Finish Widening North I-25 and Improve Key Regional Feeder Roads (Northern Colorado Prospers 2.0 Goal #3), the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to share the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) summary list highlighting 2022 accomplishments on the I-25 North Express Lanes Project, including securing the final funding for Segment 5.

I-25 North Express Lanes Project Hits Major Milestones in 2022

Construction is expected to be complete in early 2024

Published by CDOT

As 2022 comes to a close, the I-25 North Express Lanes construction crews and the Colorado Department of Transportation acknowledge another year of construction progress on the I-25 North corridor as well as identifies funding for two more segments (Segment 2 and 5) on the I-25 corridor outlined in the State’s 10-Year Plan. Funding for these additional segments comes from various funding sources in the 10-Year plan, including SB260, and innovative financing through the Colorado Transportation Investment Office.

From Berthoud all the way up to Fort Collins, residents and commuters alike navigated around more construction signage, activity and a few closures and detours along the I-25 North corridor this past year. Although there were new route changes and road closures, this means the project is making progress and one step closer to bringing the new and improved I-25 North on time and on budget for Colorado to use and enjoy.

As Coloradans and visitors continued to travel the interstate this year, here’s some of the major work crews accomplished:

• Closed and reopened the Colorado Highway 60 and I-25 interchange to transition it into a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI)—the newest DDI to northern Colorado
• Reopened Kechter Road across I-25 with a new bridge
• Replaced the US Highway 34 bridge over I-25
• Completed seven bridges between Johnstown and Fort Collins
• Placed 180,000 square yards of concrete in 2022 between Johnstown and Fort Collins
• Installed approximately four miles of pipe on the Johnstown to Fort Collins segments
• Recycled 60 million pounds of the old concrete pavement back into the Johnstown to Fort Collins segment of the project
• Placed more than three million pounds of steel in structures and concrete pavement, between Johnstown and Fort Collins

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On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, Colorado State Patrol, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation celebrated the grand opening of the new northbound and southbound I-25 Port of Entry stations in Fort Collins, near I-25 and Prospect Road. Construction of the new Port of Entry facilities was part of the I-25 North Express Lanes Project, Johnstown to Fort Collins.

The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce also attended the grand opening to support the completion of another key project that will address the transportation needs in northern Colorado. With support from Northern Colorado Prospers, the Chamber will continue to lead efforts in finishing the widening of North 1-25 and improve feed roads and other infrastructure.

At Tuesday’s event, representatives from Colorado State Patrol, CDOT and the I-25 North Express Lanes Project team discussed the new buildings and the innovative features they will bring to the northern Colorado freight checkpoints.

“We are very excited and grateful to have two new facilities on both sides of I-25 for commercial motor vehicle truck inspections and clearances,” stated Lt. Col. Joshua Downing, Colorado State Patrol. “The CDOT team worked very closely with the port of entry members to create spacious and safe facilities for the officers, the needed technology and the important industry we serve.”

Remarks from project representatives were followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony and an opportunity for guests to explore the new southbound I-25 Port of Entry building and interact with project and Port of Entry representatives to learn more about the new features of the facilities in Fort Collins.

“Today marks the start of enhancing another important layer of transportation in Colorado –improving freight efficiency,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “I am honored to be here today with Colorado State Patrol to celebrate the opening of the new Fort Collins Port of Entry, which will deliver improved interstate operations to freight drivers and commuters alike.”

Constructing the new Port of Entry facilities was part of the I-25 North Express Lanes Project, Johnstown to Fort Collins, and opening the new weigh station checkpoints is not only a major milestone for Colorado’s freight industry, but for construction progress of the I-25 North Express Lanes Project. This project, which started in the fall of 2018, supports the growth of northern Colorado and brings economic, environmental and quality of life benefits for northern Coloradans and Interstate users, just as the new Port of Entry checkpoints and the freight industry do for the great state of Colorado.

• Project phone line – (720) 593-1996
• Project email – [email protected]
• Project web site – codot.gov/projects/north-i-25
• Sign up for weekly project updates by logging onto the project web site and filling out the right-side form to “Subscribe to Project Updates.”

ABOUT THE COLORADO STATE PATROL
Since our origin in 1935, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has focused on preserving human life and protecting property within our communities. Our 1,100 members embody the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect in their daily jobs.  In addition to our expertise in motor vehicle safety on the state’s roadways, the CSP is responsible for the Governor and other dignitaries’ protection, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials, homeland security, communications, investigative services, criminal interdiction, community education, aviation operations, and more. For additional information, visit us online at Colorado State Patrol or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook.

More than a dozen leaders across Colorado issued quotes supporting HB 22-1026, a bi-partisan bill sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird and Dan Woog.

The bill provides tax incentives for employers to provide alternative transportation options such as bus passes. By encouraging alternate transportation, both employers and employees can take advantage of an opportunity to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicle trips and reduce emissions. The bill is slated for a hearing before the House Finance Committee today.

Quotes of support include:

“We applaud Representatives Bird and Woog for this common-sense approach to expanding the use of alternative transportation without creating onerous new mandates. Incentive-based solutions are the most effective way to give businesses and employees the flexibility they need to implement new policies.” Loren Furman, President & CEO, Colorado Chamber of Commerce

“The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce is glad to see the introduction of a bipartisan measure to incentivize employers to provide alternative transit options for their employees. Businesses know their employees best and know what forms of transportation make the most sense in getting people to and from work. We appreciate the sponsors’ proactive, flexible approach that allows organizations to decide whether or not they want to encourage the use of alternative transportation solutions when it makes sense for their employees and business.” JJ Ament, President and CEO, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce

“At AC-REP, we pride ourselves on being the economic champion for the Greater Adams County region. Our area businesses and employees are the economic drivers that help make these communities thrive and prosper. To that end, we appreciate Representatives Bird and Woog and their understanding of business operations with the introduction of HB 1026. This measure strikes the right balance to support alternative commuting options for employees by incenting employers to promote that choice.” Lisa Hough, President and CEO, Adams County Regional Economic Partnership

“The South Metro Denver Chamber is committed to improving the strength and stability of our region’s business community, which includes more than 85,000 employees. As such, we support policy solutions that provide additional incentives for our businesses to attract and recruit a strong workforce, and HB 1026 is a great example of such an approach. We commend Representatives Bird and Woog for their leadership on this issue and are proud to support their efforts.” Jeff Keener, President and CEO, South Metro Denver Chamber

“The Aurora Chamber of Commerce works on behalf of our region’s business community to advocate for policies that incentivize economic growth and job opportunity. HB 1026 is a perfect example of a measure that strikes the right balance to incent employers to provide commuting alternative benefits to their employees without mandating a solution that may not work for all.” Kevin Hougen, President and CEO, Aurora Chamber of Commerce

“The Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance greatly appreciates Representatives Bird and Woog’s leadership in crafting an approach to encourage employees to use alternative commuting solutions in a way that acknowledges that all businesses are structured uniquely. This is a common sense and balanced solution to acknowledge emissions reduction strategies without mandating a one-size-fits-all approach that may not work for all employers and employees.” Sandra Solin, Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance

“DCBA serves as a unified voice on policy issues on behalf of several Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Councils who represent more than 10,500 businesses in Douglas County. We place a priority on issues that serve to incent job creation and growth and we also recognize the need to maintain our pristine environment in the area. We are grateful to Representatives Bird and Woog for their proposal to recognize that objective in a sensible an balanced way with HB 1026.” Amy Sherman, Chair, Douglas County Business Alliance

“Representatives Shannon Bird and Dan Woog deserve applause for their efforts to reduce emissions. They along with their co-sponsors, Representative Benavidez and Senators Hansen, Liston and Kolker have worked with stakeholders to forge a bi-partisan policy to incentivize emission reductions and encourage all Coloradans to play a role in preserving and protecting our environment. It’s good for Colorado and good for Colorado families,” Lynn Granger,
Executive Director, American Petroleum Institute Colorado

“The Colorado Women’s Alliance is pleased to support HB 1026, providing incentives for employers who provide alternative transportation options for employees. We commend the bipartisan cooperation and leadership that resulted in this incentive approach that is a more appropriate way to promote change than are unfunded mandates on the business community.” Joni Inman, Executive Director, Colorado Women’s Alliance

“The Colorado Women’s Chamber of commerce is in support of bills that incentivize employers to offer enhanced benefits to their employees. HB1026 gives employees an added benefit and helps improve our states air quality, while reducing traffic congestion.” Simone Ross, CEO,
Colorado Womens Chamber of Commerce

“As an organization focused on convening regional businesses and community members to help shape Denver South’s future, we are always interested in policy discussions that help to retain and attract a robust talent pool, especially when they are framed as incentives that work to improve our region’s air quality and traffic congestion. HB 1026 balances the promotion of alternative commuting solutions in a way that honors our employers’ ability to accommodate the specific needs of their employees and the demands of their businesses.” Tom Brook, CEO,
Denver South

“We appreciate the leadership of Representatives Bird and Woog in crafting a bipartisan measure to incent employers to provide transit options for their employees. This approach is the right way to encourage the use of alternative transportation solutions where those options exist, while still allowing businesses who are transit constrained to operate. In general, we believe it is more appropriate to incentivize action rather than imposing broad mandates.” Dave Davia. Executive Vice President and CEO, Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors
Association

“Access to safe and reliable transportation should never be a barrier to someone finding work. With the state’s economy up and running, now more than ever we need to make it easier for Coloradans to find work, which is why we’re glad to support legislation that will do just that.” Harry Hartfield, Public Affairs Manager for Uber.

“Half of all car trips in cities are a distance of 3 miles or less, the perfect distance for a bike ride. Tax credits for employers who invest in non-polluting healthy commute options for their employees makes sense, because their investment in a healthy workplace is also an investment in a healthier community.” Piep van Heuven, Director of Government Relations, Bicycle Colorado

“After months of fighting harmful mandates and a tangle of bureaucratic regulations, we are pleased to support HB22-1026, which moves Colorado toward cleaner air by providing incentives for employers, rather than strangling them with fines, mandates, and red tape. This is the kind of bi-partisan policy that enhances our environment without hindering our economic recovery.” Rachel Beck, Vice President, Government Affairs, Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC

“We are pleased to support this bipartisan effort by Representatives Bird and Woog that creates a positive incentive to encourage environmental stewardship without adding costly mandates on our businesses, especially at a time when we are still working our way out of the impacts of the pandemic.” Pam Ridler, CEO, Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce

Respond by Urging Additional Federal Funding Be Directed to Federal Interstate System.

The signing of the $1 Trillion Infrastructure Package today marks an historic win for much needed investment in the nation’s infrastructure. Colorado stands to receive approximately $3.7B in federal-aid funding for Colorado’s roads over 5 years and includes current levels of funding. Approximately $950M of the $3.7M are new dollars to the state.

Leaders from business and elected officials from the Northern Colorado region advocating for funding and construction of the north Interstate 25 corridor shared their praise of the plan and response that the additional new federal dollars be directed to the federal interstate system, including the completion of the North I-25 Express Lanes project.

Ann Hutchison, Fort Collins Chamber President & CEO and Convener of the Fix North I-25 Business Alliance:

“The historic passage and signing of the $1 Trillion Federal Infrastructure Bill sets the stage for a similarly historic investment in Colorado’s federal interstate system. Colorado’s interstate system carries 27 percent of the state’s vehicle travel yet full funding of the North I-25 corridor is $660M+ short of the necessary funds to complete the project. We urge the Colorado Transportation Commission to prioritize the one-time federal funds for our state’s federal interstate system. And, we suggest they start with the unfunded the North I-25 gap to assure the health and safety of the thousands of Coloradoans, interstate travelers and freight haulers while addressing the important air quality concerns caused by unnecessary congestion along the miles of two-lane interstate.”

Weld County Commissioner Scott James, Chair of the North I-25 Coalition, Chair of the Upper Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization and member of the State Transportation Advisory Council:

“North I-25 is the backbone and life blood of the Northern Colorado region. It is the intrastate connect between the north, south, east and west of Colorado. And, critically, it is the interstate connect to the rest of the country. Left unfunded, the resulting flow of traffic will be impeded, safety will be compromised, and air quality will be impacted from heighted emissions from congestion. The North I-25 Coalition stands firmly with the Fix North I-25 Business Alliance in urging the Colorado Transportation Commission and CDOT to fully fund* the North I-25 Gap from the available federal infrastructure funds.

Sandra Hagen Solin, Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance
“The spine of Colorado’s Front Range, the essential freight corridor linking interstate commerce, and a critical national defense asset, the North I-25 multi-modal corridor substantially serves as the economic connector of Colorado’s fastest growing region – northern Colorado. We strongly urge the Colorado Transportation Commission and the Colorado Department of Transportation to direct the additional Colorado allocation of federal funds to the interstate system including fully funding* and completing the critical expansion of the federally overseen interstate roadway, the North I-25 Express Lanes Project.”

Northern Colorado is United
Northern Colorado is united in its efforts to assure full funding of North I-25.

Together, the North I-25 Coalition and Fix North I-25 Business Alliance, represent the local governments and the business community of the Northern Colorado region.

The North I-25 Coalition, founded in September 2013, encompasses local government Mayors, Commissioners and Councilors representing entities – counties, cities and towns – along the I-25 corridor. Their focused and cooperative efforts by members of the Coalition, chaired by Weld County Commissioner Scott James, has produced millions in local matching funds to position the North I-25 Corridor to receive federal funding.

The region’s business community founded the Fix North I-25 Business Alliance in early 2014 after being informed the two-lane North I-25 corridor wouldn’t be expanded until 2075. The Alliance is a project of the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance, the joint advocacy arm of the Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley Chambers of Commerce with Upstate Colorado and One NoCo Economic Development. It has invested significant financial resources in the unified North I-25 effort and the statewide funding conversation to advocate for more transportation funding for Colorado and North I-25.

*$660+ million is necessary to complete the $1.6 billion North I-25 Express Lanes project.

“It is imperative that Coloradoans are clear on the overall costs of the rule and how the policies encompassed in the are structured to reduce their quality of life.”

During a Colorado Department of Transportation virtual hearing (November 10, 2021) on a proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) related to transportation projects, the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance — representing Fort Collins, Greeley, and Loveland Chambers of Commerce and Upstate Colorado EDC– offered public remarks in response to CDOT’s proposed rule shifts highway funds from roads to programs intended to reduce GHG.

The following is a statement from Sandra Hagen Solin, Head of the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance and Fix North I-25 Business Alliance (the latter which is a subcommittee of the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance):

“It pains me to say that we have significant concerns with the rules as proposed as we have had a very strong relationship with CDOT for years and have been a partner in driving billions of funding from the general fund and financing tools into CDOT coffers in the last five years.  Our concerns align with, and we strongly support, the comments and recommendations made by the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“The Fix North I-25 Business Alliance was formed by the NCLA and the business community in the region to ensure an investment in the capacity expansion of the North I-25 corridor with an express managed lane. Long established CDOT policy dictates the use of an express managed land for the expansion of roadways, an approach broadly agreeable to the northern Colorado region as an operational approach and strategy to reduce congestion and improve air quality.

“Despite the $1B investment made in North I-25 so far by CDOT, no funding has been identified or allocated for Segment 5 of the corridor creating a significant gap in the express lane between Mead and Longmont and thereby ultimately creating significant safety concerns.

“The rules, especially with the modifications made on Oct. 19, and their operative one size fits all approach, threaten the completion of the north I-25 Corridor. North I-25 is but one example of

critical regionally significant corridors across the northern Colorado region and across all of Colorado that require ongoing investment in their congestion relief, capacity improvements and operational strategies and are at risk. The revised rules and the comments conveyed this afternoon in support of the rule make very clear the intent behind the rule is to dramatically reduce Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) and roadway investments.

“Under the rule revisions, roadway capacity improvements to address congestion and operational strategies that can include technology improvements that improve the flow of traffic are specifically disallowed despite no technical basis provided in the rule. Capacity improvements and operational strategies should be allowed mitigation measures for regionally significant projects.

“I mentioned at the outset we strongly support the NFRMPOs written and oral comments and their recommendations. We encourage you to pay particular attention to their very thorough critique of the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA). The CBA goes to great lengths to demonstrate economic benefits of the rule. The overall cost, however, is too low, they found by a factor of four.  Using the methodology in the CBA, the NFRMPO estimates costs of the rule at $18.8B compared to a cost of $4.5B conveyed in the CBA.

“Furthermore, we would suggest the induced demand theory embedded in the rule set and CBA and its intended and consequential reduction in congestion mitigation and capacity improvements fails to fully consider the negative economic impacts upon the disproportionately impacted communities, create an undue burden to these communities, and are in conflict with the intent of HB21-1266, the Environmental Justice Act.

“Lastly, we concur in comments related to the new inclusion of VMT as a factor in the rule.  We will expand upon this in our written comments.

“In conclusion, it is imperative that Coloradoans are clear on the overall costs of the rule and how the policies encompassed in the are structured to reduce their quality of life.”

On Monday, the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce and the Fix North I-25 Business Alliance sent a joint letter asking Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and Congressmen Joe Neguse, Ken Buck and Ed Perlmutter to join forces as a coordinated Congressional delegation to position the North I-25 Corridor among the key state and nationally strategic transportation corridors for funding from any available funds that could become accessible with the passage of a stimulus transportation/infrastructure investment package, including the recently announced Biden Infrastructure Investment Plan. The Chamber was joined by the North I-25 Coalition and nearly 40 local governments, legislators and business organizations representing northern Colorado.

“We are so close to completing the $1.6 billion North I-25 Express Lanes project, but need just north of $660 million to get it across the finish line,” said Ann Hutchison, President & CEO of the Fort Collins Area Chamber. “It is incumbent on our leaders in Washington, DC, to pick up the mantle and get this project to completion. We are eager to work with them to secure the federal funding needed to keep Northern Colorado thriving.”

Letters and additional support:

Fix North I-25 Business Alliance Letter to Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and Congressmen Neguse, Buck and Perlmutter

Larimer County Letter of Support

North I-25 Coalition Letter to Congressman Neguse

I-25 Corridor at a Glance: Denver to Wyoming

Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) today (December 6, 2018) announced that the North Front Range Transportation & Air Quality Council has been awarded a $20 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for its North I-25 Segment 6 improvement project.

“We strongly advocated to the Department of Transportation how important this infrastructure funding would be for Colorado and I-25, and I’m thrilled to announce it will be coming soon to help support these important projects,” said Senator Gardner. “As Colorado continues to grow we need to ensure our infrastructure is prepared to handle it. Going forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Administration to help address infrastructure needs across our state.”

“Colorado’s roads require significant investment to keep pace with our state’s continuous growth,” said Senator Bennet. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of Northern Colorado communities, this $20 million for North I-25 will build on past TIGER grants to decrease congestion in one of the state’s busiest corridors.”

The BUILD grant helps support the Northern Colorado Prospers Goal #1 of securing necessary funds to widen North I-25 between Fort Collins and Longmont.

“This is another step in the right direction for getting North I-25 widened and creating safer and efficient travel which is essential to our families and businesses,” said David May, President & CEO of the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce and convener of the Fix North I-25 Business Alliance. “Thanks to our Congressional delegation for working to get our roads better funded.”

Additionally, the Senators announced that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be receiving a $20 million BUILD grant for its vehicle-to-everything (V2X) project, which seeks to bolster the connectivity of transportation infrastructure through the deployment of fiber across highways in Colorado, and the City of Glenwood Springs will be receiving a $7 million BUILD grant for its project to modernize infrastructure along the City’s South Midland Avenue, including a new waterline and broadband infrastructure.

I-25 Grant
The $20 million BUILD grant will help with widening a segment of North I-25 between SH 402 and SH 56/Little Thompson Bridge through the addition of an express tolled lane in each direction. CDOT has estimated that in 2040, the I-25 Corridor will see a 60 percent increase in daily vehicle traffic.

Work on the issue
View here Gardner/Bennet letter to DOT regarding North I-25
View here Gardner/Bennet letter to DOT regarding V2X
View here Gardner letter to DOT regarding the Sound Midland reconstruction and rural broadband project