^Proposed area for Front Range rail system
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed a bill that will provide $9 million of funding for a Front Range Passenger Rail system, according to The Gazette.
“The plan calls for a rail system along the Interstate 25 corridor from Trinidad to Fort Collins that would connect with Amtrak’s Southwest Chief cross-country rail line. It may, in the future, be extended into Wyoming and New Mexico.”- The Gazette
The projected has an estimated cost of $7.8 billion to $14.2 billion, and would cost $120 million to $188 million annually to operate.
^Colorado Governor Jared Polis
Governor Polis said this about the project:
“We are saving Coloradans money, fighting for clean air, and reducing drive time for Coloradans, which is why I am thrilled to make passenger rail for the Front Range of Colorado one step closer to becoming a reality today,”
You can read the full article by The Gazette here.
The Front Range Passenger Rail project lists their vision as:
“Developing passenger rail that serves Front Range communities from Fort Collins to Pueblo is a critical component of Colorado’s future. FRPR will provide a safe, efficient, and reliable transportation option for travel between major population centers and destinations along the Front Range and create a backbone for connecting and expanding rail and transit options in the state and region.
The project would provide sustainable and reliable travel options to meet the growing needs of the state, supporting multiple transportation, economic, and environmental goals.
The Front Range Passenger Rail team is committed to a transparent and fully collaborative approach with the public, interest groups, and local jurisdictions. This effort is aimed at moving Front Range Passenger Rail from vision to implementation in support of sustainable, alternative mobility options for the growing Front Range.”
There are obviously cons to every government initiative, but I’m personally a huge proponent of improved rail travel across the country.
Americans reliance on cars in downright silly, and I would love to see more states invest in railways to decrease emissions, reduce traffic, and improve accessibility for all.
For those of you that live in the Front Range- what are your thoughts? Would you like to see this project come to fruition? Why, or why not?