Source: The Impact of I-70 Congestion on Colorado  Denver to Grand Junction  Development Research Partners

A functional and well-maintained statewide, multimodal transoprtation system is critical to moving goods to market, connecting businesses with customers and safely bringing employees to the workplace.

Colorado's transportation system is dangerously under-funded and many of our state's roads, bridges and highways are crumbling because of it. 

With that in mind, the Chamber has been working closely with our state's leaders to develop viable options to fund repairs, maintenance and modernization of our state's transportation infrastructure. 

In 2006 the Chamber board of directors, under the leadership of then-Chairman Rob Cohen, focused on finding solutions to repair and improve the I-70 west corridor.  In 2007, the Chamber issued a report that found the consequence of doing nothing to address the issues in the I-70 mountain corridor cost nearly $1 billion annually in lost economic opportunity. 

One option, developed during the 2008 legislative session, is Senate Bill 08-213 being led by Senator Andy McElhany, which would create a funding stream earmarked for the weathered I-70 west corridor, by tolling all vehicles that use that stretch of road. 

Read McElhany's SB-213. 

Source: Corporation for Enterprise Development Toward a More Competitive Colorado

The Chamber is supporting McElhany's bill because it provides a funding mechanism to advance a solution on I-70 -- a solution which is being selected through a Collaborative Effort of stakeholders.

Chamber CEO Joe Blake testified in front of the state senate transportation committee on March 27, in support of the bill.

The bill passed onto the appropriations committee with a 5-2 vote.

Read Joe Blake's letter of support for the bill here.

 

I-70 in the news:

$5 tolls for I-70 given a little gas 
Denver Post 
http://www.denverpost.com/rapids/ci_8722798

I-70 toll proposal passes, HOV measure rejected 
9 News
http://www.9news.com/news/top-article.aspx?storyid=88868

 

Links:
I-70 Collaborative Effort
Carpool Campaign
Second Period Skier Visits