Colorado has received a federal infusion of $66.4 million in transportation funds to boost freight train safety and enable expansion along rail corridors north of Denver, setting up opportunities for passenger rail transit that leaders are exploring to help city dwellers travel more efficiently without cars.
A state matching contribution of $28 million brings the total funds over $94 million for work cast as essential preparation for long-term rail system expansion. This means state authorities could begin to establish track passing sidings, among other improvements, so that freight trains and passenger trains initially could share existing tracks running from Denver north toward Fort Collins.
“This does more than just safety. It increases capacity,” Colorado Rail Passenger Association president Jack Wheeler said.
“It is ideal for a shared corridor where freight and passenger trains use the same right of way. We will be using the current tracks for the first phase of a passenger operation from Fort Collins to Pueblo.”
Gov. Jared Polis announced the funding Tuesday morning in Westminster, flanked by Sen. Michael Bennet, U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse and Brittany Pettersen, Colorado Department of Transportation director Shoshana Lew, and other leaders. They hailed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding — for increasing control of trains and improved siding along tracks — as a milestone toward a multi-agency effort to re-establish Front Range passenger transit using the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line north of Denver.
The Federal Rail Administration has included Colorado Front Range Passenger Rail as a transit corridor priority, supporting state efforts. Colorado has secured more than $400 million overall in competitive grant awards under the nation’s bipartisan infrastructure law.
“Less likely derailments. Very important,” said Polis, who has championed passenger rail transit linking Front Range cities.
“This helps accelerate the timeline,” Polis said. “We’re going to do it as fast as we can.”
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