Denver and Colorado are world renown for the Rocky Mountains. Their recreational opportunities and scenic splendor are key amenities that draw tourists and residents to the area. However, according to a study by Development Research Partners, Colorado loses nearly one billion dollars per year due to congestion on the I-70 corridor between Metro Denver and the mountain ski resorts. To maintain Colorado’s international competitiveness as an attractive place to visit, live, work and play, the state needs to invest in a cost-effective way to improve mobility on the I-70 corridor. Based on preliminary high level assessments, a fixed rail transportation system appears to be the best way to achieve this goal. Of course the state of Colorado should confirm this argument by conducting rigorous environmental impact evaluations of alternative solutions. (Photo from http://www.smartskyways.com/Interactive/news/i70.htm Denver Post/John Leyba)
An April 2007 study by Development Research Partners (http://www.developmentresearch.net/), sponsored by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce (http://www.denverchamber.org/), estimated that the state of Colorado loses $839 million per year in 2005 dollars from productivity and efficiency reductions, lost time, forgone tax revenues and reduced tourist spending due to I-70 corridor congestion.
Although Colorado is the number one destination for overnight ski trips in the United States with 18.1% market share as of 2004, it is clear that the state’s competitive position in this key economic sector is not unassailable. In fact the state’s market share has declined from 20% in 1994. (See Colorado Tourism Update, The Center for Travel and Tourism, May 2006 from Longwoods International). One factor in this decline may be the increasing levels of congestion along the I-70 route from Denver to the mountain ski resorts in Colorado.
When the I-70 congestion is viewed in the context of regional cross-state competition for alpine tourism, it becomes a critically important issue for the Colorado economy. In Utah, one of Colorado’s primary competitors, many resorts are close to the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLCIA). For example both Park City and Alta are only a 45 minute drive from SLCIA. In Colorado, most out of state visitors to mountain resorts rely on automotive ground transportation from Denver International Airport (DIA) which takes a minimum of two hours but can take much longer depending on weather and traffic conditions. Currently there are few alternatives for accessing the Colorado resorts given the limited number of flights into Eagle County, Aspen and other alpine airports. In view of these logistical realities, it is particularly important to ensure a quick, smooth trip to the Colorado ski resorts to maintain state competitiveness in the alpine tourism market.
There are a number of possible methods to reduce congestion on I-70, including implementing traffic management systems with real-time electronic messaging to drivers about traffic delays, establishing car pool incentives, increasing the use of buses, widening I-70 and building a fixed rail transit system.
As a long term solution, the fixed rail option has some clear advantages over other proposed solutions. Properly designed rail with a dedicated right of way would be less impacted by peak congestion and poor weather conditions because it could bypass auto accidents, slippery roads and traffic jams. Rail also has a lower environmental impact compared to widening I-70 because it takes up less land and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Rail has other advantages as well. A rail transit system creates a physical and symbolic link between the emerging urban scene in Denver and the mountains, reinforcing a Colorado lifestyle of urban vitality combined with access to nature. A rail link with scenic views, dramatic bridges and high quality on-board amenities and services could become a tourist attraction in and of itself as has been demonstrated on a limited basis by the success of the Ski Train from Union Station to Winter Park (http://www.skitrain.com/). Additionally, if the timing were right, the rail link could be used as a centerpiece in a Denver bid to host the Winter Olympics, if not by 2018, perhaps 2022 or beyond.
The upcoming build out of the FasTracks transit system in the Denver Metro area provides an opportunity to connect Denver International Airport (DIA), Union Station in downtown Denver, and other metro locations to the mountain ski resorts without ever having to set foot in an automobile. To make a rail connection along the I-70 corridor convenient to passengers, there should be a single route linking DIA, Union Station and the mountain resorts, allowing passengers boarding at DIA to stay on the same train for their entire trip.
Although building a rail system designed to operate at steep mountain grades and in adverse weather conditions imposes technical challenges, these obstacles have been overcome in other places such as Switzerland. I can not recommend the best technology to use for the rail system but believe technologies such as those used by the Swiss light rail system FLIRT, various versions of MAGLEV technologies, Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) and others should be explored.
The Rocky Mountain Rail Authority (RMRA) and Colorado Rail Association (CRA) (http://www.rangerxpress.com/ ) are conducting feasibility studies for a state-wide rail program which would include a link from Denver to the I-70 mountain resorts. The CRA is planning a November 2008 state-wide ballot initiative which would create a state rail authority, approve funding via an incremental sales tax and bond issuing powers, and allow intergovernmental agreements with other regional states to build a rail system. The I-70 Mountain Corridor Coalition (http://www.i-70coalition.org/ ), led by the Colorado Department of Transit (CDOT), is also preparing to release a final report on improving mobility on I-70. While this work is extremely commendable, the state should take care to ensure that comprehensive due diligence has been performed prior to making a final decision on this multi-billion dollar investment with a 50 year planning horizon. Making and carrying out the right decision will require political leadership from the highest levels in Colorado government and a project of this scope needs the direct involvement of Governor Bill Ritter.
Voters in the Metro Denver area have been willing to approve taxes in the past to fund sports stadiums, public transit build outs and cultural institutions. Colorado has shown a willingness to take on enormous transportation projects such as DIA, T-Rex, and FasTracks. After appropriate environmental impact and feasibility assessments are completed, Coloradans should have the wisdom and vision to make a long term investment in the state’s competitiveness and future to ensure safe, reliable and free-flowing fixed rail access to the region’s greatest natural asset – the Rocky Mountains.
An April 2007 study by Development Research Partners (http://www.developmentresearch.net/), sponsored by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce (http://www.denverchamber.org/), estimated that the state of Colorado loses $839 million per year in 2005 dollars from productivity and efficiency reductions, lost time, forgone tax revenues and reduced tourist spending due to I-70 corridor congestion.
Although Colorado is the number one destination for overnight ski trips in the United States with 18.1% market share as of 2004, it is clear that the state’s competitive position in this key economic sector is not unassailable. In fact the state’s market share has declined from 20% in 1994. (See Colorado Tourism Update, The Center for Travel and Tourism, May 2006 from Longwoods International). One factor in this decline may be the increasing levels of congestion along the I-70 route from Denver to the mountain ski resorts in Colorado.
When the I-70 congestion is viewed in the context of regional cross-state competition for alpine tourism, it becomes a critically important issue for the Colorado economy. In Utah, one of Colorado’s primary competitors, many resorts are close to the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLCIA). For example both Park City and Alta are only a 45 minute drive from SLCIA. In Colorado, most out of state visitors to mountain resorts rely on automotive ground transportation from Denver International Airport (DIA) which takes a minimum of two hours but can take much longer depending on weather and traffic conditions. Currently there are few alternatives for accessing the Colorado resorts given the limited number of flights into Eagle County, Aspen and other alpine airports. In view of these logistical realities, it is particularly important to ensure a quick, smooth trip to the Colorado ski resorts to maintain state competitiveness in the alpine tourism market.
There are a number of possible methods to reduce congestion on I-70, including implementing traffic management systems with real-time electronic messaging to drivers about traffic delays, establishing car pool incentives, increasing the use of buses, widening I-70 and building a fixed rail transit system.
As a long term solution, the fixed rail option has some clear advantages over other proposed solutions. Properly designed rail with a dedicated right of way would be less impacted by peak congestion and poor weather conditions because it could bypass auto accidents, slippery roads and traffic jams. Rail also has a lower environmental impact compared to widening I-70 because it takes up less land and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Rail has other advantages as well. A rail transit system creates a physical and symbolic link between the emerging urban scene in Denver and the mountains, reinforcing a Colorado lifestyle of urban vitality combined with access to nature. A rail link with scenic views, dramatic bridges and high quality on-board amenities and services could become a tourist attraction in and of itself as has been demonstrated on a limited basis by the success of the Ski Train from Union Station to Winter Park (http://www.skitrain.com/). Additionally, if the timing were right, the rail link could be used as a centerpiece in a Denver bid to host the Winter Olympics, if not by 2018, perhaps 2022 or beyond.
The upcoming build out of the FasTracks transit system in the Denver Metro area provides an opportunity to connect Denver International Airport (DIA), Union Station in downtown Denver, and other metro locations to the mountain ski resorts without ever having to set foot in an automobile. To make a rail connection along the I-70 corridor convenient to passengers, there should be a single route linking DIA, Union Station and the mountain resorts, allowing passengers boarding at DIA to stay on the same train for their entire trip.
Although building a rail system designed to operate at steep mountain grades and in adverse weather conditions imposes technical challenges, these obstacles have been overcome in other places such as Switzerland. I can not recommend the best technology to use for the rail system but believe technologies such as those used by the Swiss light rail system FLIRT, various versions of MAGLEV technologies, Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) and others should be explored.
The Rocky Mountain Rail Authority (RMRA) and Colorado Rail Association (CRA) (http://www.rangerxpress.com/ ) are conducting feasibility studies for a state-wide rail program which would include a link from Denver to the I-70 mountain resorts. The CRA is planning a November 2008 state-wide ballot initiative which would create a state rail authority, approve funding via an incremental sales tax and bond issuing powers, and allow intergovernmental agreements with other regional states to build a rail system. The I-70 Mountain Corridor Coalition (http://www.i-70coalition.org/ ), led by the Colorado Department of Transit (CDOT), is also preparing to release a final report on improving mobility on I-70. While this work is extremely commendable, the state should take care to ensure that comprehensive due diligence has been performed prior to making a final decision on this multi-billion dollar investment with a 50 year planning horizon. Making and carrying out the right decision will require political leadership from the highest levels in Colorado government and a project of this scope needs the direct involvement of Governor Bill Ritter.
Voters in the Metro Denver area have been willing to approve taxes in the past to fund sports stadiums, public transit build outs and cultural institutions. Colorado has shown a willingness to take on enormous transportation projects such as DIA, T-Rex, and FasTracks. After appropriate environmental impact and feasibility assessments are completed, Coloradans should have the wisdom and vision to make a long term investment in the state’s competitiveness and future to ensure safe, reliable and free-flowing fixed rail access to the region’s greatest natural asset – the Rocky Mountains.
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