The Colorado Transportation Commission met this Friday for the first time since the passage of a major transportation bill and, in addition to approving $238 million in funding for transportation, swore in two newly appointed commissioners.

“Colorado’s historic transportation legislation is shifting into high gear, with $238 million in funding going toward fixing our roads, helping our economy, and delivering needed improvements to our infrastructure,” Governor Jared Polis said. 

“This new bipartisan law is beginning to take hold, improving transportation for every Coloradan while addressing the economic threat of climate change. I look forward to seeing and supporting the transformative work of our newly-appointed commissioners,” the governor added.

While the transportation funding bill signed into law by the governor last month included $238 million, certain provisions in the bill are expected to raise an additional $5.4 billion over the next 10 years.

The $238 million is meant to fix several existing assets as well as prove more multimodal options, including expanded bus routes and more mobility hubs along I-25 north of Denver to allow better bus service.

Funding will also be used to study community impacts of the state highways which cut through some Denver area neighborhoods and enable work with local partners to figure out the best way to use street space in downtown revitalization projects. 

“The funding will address three essential priorities: fixing our assets, providing more multimodal options and improving safety and vitality of main streets,” Colorado DOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said. “The projects reflect key priorities... and will leverage stimulus funding provided by our legislature to accelerate our economic recovery.”

Projects with a more than $10 million price tag include:

Denver Metro Area:

• $50 million for the I-70 Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels for repairs and maintenance.
• $20 million for noise wall replacements on I-70 and finishing replacements around I-76.
• $12.5 million for an interchange mobility hub at I-25 and CO 7.

Southeast Colorado:

• $40 million for operational improvements to I-25

Northwestern Colorado:

• $29 million for highway work on CO 13 near Rio Blanco county.

Northeastern Colorado:

• $16.3 million for I-76 improvements to the east of Sterling
• $13 million for a mobility hub on I-25
• 13.4 million for highway work on the CO 7 corridor.

Southwestern Colorado:

• $13.5 million for reconstruction and multimodal improvements on US 160 Pagosa.

A full project list is available via the Colorado Department of Transportation