Bumper to Bumper: Final funding for CO-119 Mobility Project secured

U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse announced on June 22 that Boulder County has been awarded a $25 million grant from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program.

This is the final piece of the funding puzzle that is needed to pay for the CO-119 Safety and Mobility Improvement Project. The project includes Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Park-n-Rides, a bikeway, and safety improvements on CO-119 (the “Diagonal”) between Longmont and Boulder.

Congressman Neguse wrote to DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg in February expressing support for the project. Boulder County and project partners have been hopeful about receiving this grant for over a year. Neguse played a key role in the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted in November of 2021 which significantly increased the money available through the RAISE grants.

In other transportation news, Boulder County announced on June 23 that it would join the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Zero Fare For Better Air summer campaign. RTD set the cost to ride trains and buses to zero during the month of July last year. This year rides will be free for July and August. All RTD transit services are covered, including buses and trains to the Denver International Airport. The goal is to reduce ozone and pollution from automobiles during the summer by encouraging more travelers to use public transportation.

Commuting Solutions and BCycle have launched a study to consider a regional bike share program. This would include Boulder County cities and unincorporated areas. They are currently conducting a survey of interest. The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/788FW9Y.

The City of Boulder began allowing Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on some Open Space and Mountain Parks trails on July 1. The map of allowed trails can be found at https://bouldercolorado.gov/media/11699. After Boulder City Council approved e-bikes on plains trails on June 1, Boulder County quickly worked to amend its policy to allow e-bikes on three trails that the City of Boulder approved. These are Coalton, Mayhoffer Singletree and Boulder Canyon trails. On June 22 the county Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended approval to the Board of County Commissioners. On June 27 the commissioners approved through their consent agenda.

Finally, in August the State of Colorado is expected to open the application process for rebates for the purchase of e-bikes by low- and moderate-income Coloradans. The program is expected to be oversubscribed. Applications will be open for one week each month with rebates awarded to a randomly selected group of applicants after the end of each week.