Colorado's efforts to expand and enhance its rail infrastructure received a significant push forward with a hefty federal grant, marking a stride in transportation improvements. Governor Polis, along with Senator Michael Bennet, Congressman Joe Neguse, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, and other state and local officials, gathered to highlight the $66.4 million boon from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. As reported by the Colorado Governor's Office, the state is set to match the federal grant with almost $28 million of its funds to largely upgrade the BNSF line north of Denver.
"Today’s grant will make freight rail traffic in some of our busiest growing communities safer quickly while providing critical building blocks for Passenger Rail," said Governor Polis, as per the Colorado Governor's Office. He emphasized that the support from the Biden-Harris administration positions Colorado’s rail network as a federal priority. A slice of this funding is earmarked for aligning with federal safety standards and bolstering the security of rail crossings, spots where dangerous incidents have historically occurred.
CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew, in her statement, cited the statewide effort, which was critical in reaching this milestone, and highlighted the acknowledgment from the Biden-Harris Administration of Colorado's commitment to both freight safety and the prospect of passenger rail.
Further adding to the discussion, John Putnam, Senior Advisor at the Colorado Department of Transportation, appreciated the federal partners, BNSF Railway, and congressional members for their relentless efforts to secure this major funding. Regarding the specifics of the project, the grant will fund several highway-grade crossing improvements, the construction of a new passing siding, and a safety overlay of positive train control across parts of the corridor. BNSF's Jim Tylick underscored the importance of early collaboration with various stakeholders including the Front Range Passenger Rail District, CDOT, and the FRA.
The grant announcement is not the state’s only recent success in obtaining federal support for its transportation infrastructure. Earlier projects, such as the $100 million grant for the I-70 Mountain Corridor Floyd Hill Project, have been a testament to the state’s ability to leverage federal funds effectively. Additionally, the inclusion of the Front Range Passenger Rail in the Federal Rail Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development program back in December 2023, helps reinforce the significance of rail projects in the state's broader infrastructure vision.
