HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/07/2000 - RESOLUTION 2000-45 ENDORSING THE TRANSPORTATION AL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 19
DATE: March 7, 2000
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL
STAFF: Ron Phillips
SUBJECT :
Resolution 2000-45 Endorsing the Transportation Alternatives Feasibility Study Vision Plan.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Policy and Oversight Committee of the North Front Range Transportation Alternatives
Feasibility Study (TAFS) has adopted a Vision Plan and recommendation after more than two
years of work, analysis and public involvement. This Resolution expresses Council's support for
the Vision Plan and encourages the sponsoring agencies of the study to implement the plan as
soon as is feasible.
BACKGROUND:
The TAFS was an outgrowth of the State Passenger Rail Study which identified the North Front
Range as one of the areas with the greatest potential for passenger rail. The North Front Range
Planning Council initiated the Memorandum of Understanding among four transportation
planning agencies — the NFR MPO, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the Upper
Front Range Regional Planning Commission, and the Colorado Department of Transportation
(CDOT)—which led to the TAFS.
The purpose of the Study was to develop regional solutions to safety, traffic congestion, air
quality, and mobility issues for travel between the northern Colorado population centers and the
metropolitan Denver area. The Study investigated 17 different modes or technologies, it
examined 18 different highway and railroad alignments, and developed a short list of two
highway alternatives and four passenger rail options. These were in addition to the no-build
alternative and the transportation management/regional bus service option, both of which had to
be evaluated as part of the process.
Just over two years.after the Study began, the Policy and Oversight Committee, made up of two
representatives from each agency and two from the private sector, adopted a preliminary North
Front Range Vision Plan. In addition to a regional bus network and transportation management
improvements, the Plan has two major elements: a passenger rail system from Fort Collins to
Denver Union Terminal, with a branch to Greeley; and combination General Purpose/High
Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-25 from SH-7 to SH-66. These lanes would link up with
HOV lanes under consideration by the Regional Transportation District.
RESOLUTION 2000-45
. OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ENDORSING THE NORTH FRONT RANGE
TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES FEASIBILITY STUDY VISION PLAN
WHEREAS, the North Front Range Transportation & Air Quality Planning Council
(NFRT&AQPC),the Denver Regional Council of Governments(DRCOG),the Upper Front Range
Regional Planning Commission,and the Colorado Department of Transportation,have been working
cooperatively for the past two years to complete the North Front Range Transportation Alternatives
Feasibility Study (NFRTAFS); and
WHEREAS, 18 different technologies and 17 different highway and rail alignments were
examined and analyzed during this process; and
WHEREAS, population is expected to increase by 43% and employment is expected to
increase by 36% in the North Front Range Corridor over the next twenty years; and
WHEREAS,the North Front Range Corridor transportation infrastructure,which is already
in poor condition,will experience above-capacity congestion by 2015 if no improvements are made;
and
WHEREAS, no significant inter-regional transit service,no high occupancy vehicle lanes,
• and no passenger rail service exists in the North Front Range Corridor; and
WHEREAS, several communities in the North Front Range are air quality non-attainment
areas; and
WHEREAS,the Policy and Oversight Committee of the North Front Range Transportation
Alternatives Feasibility Study (NFRTAFS) on December 8, 1999 approved a Vision Plan to guide
transportation improvements in the North Front Range Corridor over the next twenty years,and this
Vision Plan calls for a balanced approach of widening I-25 with high occupancy vehicle lanes,
instituting a regional transit service, and pursuing passenger rail service in the I-25 Corridor.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the North Front Range Transportation Alternatives Feasibility Study Vision Plan
be,and hereby is,endorsed and that the sponsoring agencies are encouraged to take all appropriate
short and long term actions to ensure its implementation.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 7th day of March,A.D.
2000.
Mayor
ATTEST:
•
City Clerk