HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/04/2014 - RESOLUTION 2014-021 DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO SUBMITAgenda Item 13
Item # 13 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY March 4, 2014
City Council
STAFF
Dan Weinheimer, Policy & Project Manager
SUBJECT
Resolution 2014-021 Directing the Mayor to Submit a Letter to Colorado's United States Senators and to
Congressmen Jared Polis and Cory Gardner, Seeking Support for Funding for I-25 Phase I Improvements.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is for City Council to consider approval of a letter to be submitted to the City's U.S.
Congressional Delegation and to U.S. Representative Cory Gardner, seeking their support to fund Interstate
25 improvements in the 2014 reauthorization of the federal transportation bill.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Interstate 25 (I-25) is the primary transportation corridor for people and goods to and from Northern Colorado. The
traffic volume along the highway has steadily increased in the last decade to the point that road conditions are
becoming a problem. Ensuring that the highway is safe, in good repair, and is sized appropriately to handle traffic
needs is important to Northern Colorado's economic health.
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has proposed converting a free lane into a toll lane on I-25
between Colorado 7 (the Brighton exit) to Colorado 66 (Lyons, Longmont and Platteville exit) in order to
accumulate the revenue needed to make improvements to the highway by 2075.
As an alternative, to expand the highway more quickly and efficiency, the North I-25 Coalition - a group of local
officials representing 14 communities from Thornton to Fort Collins - is advocating that funding for north I-25 be
included in the reauthorization of the federal transportation bill. The transportation bill will be discussed by
Congress this fall.
Information provided by the North I-25 coalition derived from CDOT, Department of Local Affairs, Colorado State
Demographer, and the U.S. Census data indicates, based on current road conditions and traffic volumes, that the
north I-25 corridor has an anticipated 10-year lifespan.
If approved, the letter will go to the City's federal representatives - United States Senators Mark Udall and Michael
Bennet, and Congressman Jared Polis. The same letter would also go to Congressman Cory Gardner who, until
2012, represented Fort Collins. Congressman Gardner is a leader in the United States House, understands the
regional importance of this issue and is familiar with regional needs.
Agenda Item 13
Item # 13 Page 2
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACT
Funding north Interstate 25 improvements in the federal transportation reauthorization will ensure the region's
economic health by maintaining a safe road surface and address growing congestion along the north I-25
corridor. Acting sooner could result in savings to taxpayers, both in minimizing congestion-related delays and
in minimizing anticipated construction costs (project costs are anticipated to be $1.2 billion if completed in the
CDOT proposed timeline of 2075).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Delays along the north I-25 corridor can cause increased levels of air pollution.
Revised March 4, 2014
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RESOLUTION 2014-021
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO COLORADO’S
UNITED STATES SENATORS AND TO CONGRESSMEN JARED POLIS
AND CORY GARDNER, SEEKING SUPPORT FOR FUNDING FOR THE
INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 25 PHASE I IMPROVEMENTS
WHEREAS, Interstate Highway 25 (“I-25”) is the primary transportation corridor for
northern Colorado and traffic volumes along I-25 have steadily increased in recent years to the
point that road conditions are becoming problematic; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City, and of northern Colorado generally that
I-25 be a safe and appropriately sized highway corridor to handle the traffic needs of the region;
and
WHEREAS, communities in northern Colorado have been working collaboratively to
improve I-25 since 1997, and have spent more than $22 million to complete a Major
Improvement Study and an Environmental Impact Study (EIS); and
WHEREAS, the Federal Highway Administration signed the record of decision to the
first phase of the North I-25 EIS in December 2011, with the projects proposed in Phase I to
include:
• I-25 widening between SH 14 and SH 392 (approximately 7 miles);
• I-25 widening as a managed lane between SH 56 and SH 66 (approximately 7
miles);
• I-25 widening between US 36 and 120th Avenue (approximately 6 miles)
• Replacement of interchanges with I-25 at SH 14, Prospect, SH 56, CR 34 and SH
7;
• Replacement or construction of 46 structures, modifying two existing structures
and rehabilitating two structures;
• Installation of six carpool lots at I-25 interchanges (SH 14, Prospect, Harmony,
SH 56/Weld County 44, Firestone and SH 7);
• Provision of an I-25 express bus from Fort Collins/Greeley to downtown Denver
and DIA, including the construction of two stops and the purchase 27 buses;
• Provision of a US 85 commuter bus between Greeley and downtown Denver,
including constructing five stations and purchasing five buses; and
WHEREAS, the cost for these improvements was estimated at $670 million in 2009, and
the EIS identified completion of the Phase I improvements by 2035, but demographic changes
brought on by growth have demonstrated that improvements to I-25 are needed now; and
WHEREAS, traffic volumes (79,000) projected in the EIS for 2035 are already occurring
daily; and
Revised March 4, 2014
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WHEREAS, considering the residual lifespan of I-25 and the proposed funding solutions
of the Colorado Department of Transportation, I-25 will fail before it is repaired; and
WHEREAS, the North I-25 coalition, which is a group of local officials representing 14
communities from Thornton to Fort Collins, is advocating that funding for I-25 in northern
Colorado be included in the reauthorization of the federal transportation bill which will be
considered by the United States Congress this Fall; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interests of the City that
a letter be presented to Colorado’s United States Senators and to Congressmen Jared Polis and
Cory Gardner encouraging them to advocate for northern Colorado communities by including
improvements to I-25 in northern Colorado in the 2014 reauthorization of the federal
transportation bill.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS that the Mayor is hereby authorized to send a letter on behalf of the City to
Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, and to Congressmen Jared Polis and Cory Gardner,
urging advocacy for inclusion of I-25 in northern Colorado in the 2014 reauthorization of the
federal transportation bill, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” subject to
such minor modifications as the Mayor, in consultation with the City Manager and City
Attorney, may determine to be necessary and appropriate to protect the interests of the City or to
effectuate the purposes of this Resolution.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 4th
day of March, A.D. 2014.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
City Manager’s Office
City Hall
300 LaPorte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6505
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
Congressman Cory Gardner
213 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
RE: Support Interstate 25 Funding in the Federal Transportation Reauthorization
Honorable Cory Gardner,
Interstate 25 north of Denver is the transportation spine of Colorado. The highway supports the
fastest growing population centers in the state as well as transportation-heavy economic sectors
like technology, agriculture and goods manufacturing that call Northern Colorado home.
Communities in Northern Colorado have been working collaboratively to improve I-25 since
1997. More than $22 million was spent to complete a Major Improvement Study and the
Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) signed the
record of decision to the first phase of the North I-25 EIS in December 2011. The projects
proposed in Phase I include:
I-25 widening between SH 14 and SH 392 (approximately 7 miles)
I-25 widening as a managed lane between SH 56 and SH 66 (approximately 7 miles)
I-25 widening between US 36 and 120th Avenue (approximately 6 miles)
Replace interchanges with I-25 at SH 14, Prospect, SH 56, CR 34 and SH 7
Replace or construct 46 structures, modifying two existing structures and rehabilitate two
structures
Install six carpool lots at I-25 interchanges (SH 14, Prospect, Harmony, SH 56/Weld
County 44, Firestone and SH 7)
I-25 express bus between Fort Collins/Greeley to downtown Denver and DIA including
constructing two stops and purchasing 27 buses
US 85 commuter bus between Greeley and downtown Denver including constructing five
stations and purchasing 5 buses
The cost for these improvements was estimated at $670 million in 2009 dollars. The EIS
identified completion of the Phase I improvements by 2035 but demographic changes brought on
by growth has demonstrated that improvement to I-25 is needed now. Traffic volumes (79,600)
projected in the EIS for 2035 are already occurring daily.
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) plans to address the future of north I-25 are
concerning. Repairs and improvements are needed on this highway if it is going to continue to
support the Northern Colorado, and Colorado as a whole, economy. North I-25 has an
anticipated 10-year lifespan but the current CDOT proposal to take an existing free lane and
convert it into a toll lane is expected to generating construction and repair funds by the year
2075. Northern Colorado residents and businesses cannot wait more than 60 years to address
their transportation needs.
We urge you to advocate for Northern Colorado communities to have the improvements
identified in Phase I of the North I-25 plan included in the reauthorization of the 2014 Federal
Transportation Bill. Inclusion in this bill will allow Northern Colorado to compete for much
needed funding. We need a safe and reliable highway now.
Thank you for your attention to this important regional issue.
Sincerely,
Karen Weitkunat Gerry Horak Gino Campana
Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember
Ross Cunniff Bob Overbeck Lisa Poppaw Wade Troxell
Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember