President Biden's push for a $2.2 trillion infrastructure package would benefit plans to build a commuter rail service along Colorado's Front Range. The plan includes $80 billion specifically for rail improvements across the existing and future Amtrak lines.
This month Amtrak released a 15-year plan to repair, upgrade and expand passenger rail service to 160 new communities including a new service route connecting Pueblo to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
During the meeting, Amtrak President Stephen Gardner noted the I-25 corridor services roughly 85% of Colorado's population and most people in the area only have one means of transportation.
Senator Leroy Garcia of Pueblo is the co-sponsor of SB21-238 calling for the creation of a Front Range Passenger Rail Districtfor "planning , designing, developing, financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining a passenger rail system."
The concept, separate from federal funding, is to determine interconnectivity with existing rail lines into one continuous system serving the entire region. This regional transportation district spanning counties and municipalities from New Mexico to Wyoming could go to voters seeking approval on sales and use taxes to fund projects, including creating stations and public-private partnerships.
News5 would like to know, how do you believe state transportation funding should be allocated?
Results:
60% Update Roads/Interstates
37% Front Range Rail
2% Other (Buses, Rideshare, etc)
Editor's note: This survey is not based on scientific, representative samples and is solely for KOAA purposes.
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