Strong Business Interest in Upcoming Transportation Opportunities
DENVER– Four hundred highway transportation contractors, local, small and disadvantaged businesses and industry stakeholders on Oct. 22 crowded into an informational networking event about business opportunities on the upcoming C-470 and I-70 East projects hosted by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Small and minority-owned businesses accounted for approximately a third of the participants.
“We were surprised at the enthusiasm the business community showed for these projects, even though they’re still in the early stages of development,” said CDOT Executive Director Don Hunt. “Participants recognized that the improvements planned for C-470 and I-70 East will change the face of transportation in the Denver metro area – and that they are excellent opportunities for both large and small businesses.”
The event, held at the Colorado Convention Center, included an overview of both projects and a vision for Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBE) goal setting and workforce development. A panel discussion involving prime contractors and small businesses discussed best practices on how to engage local businesses on large projects with meaningful and high value work.
“We want to provide every opportunity for businesses of all sizes to be a part of this success,” Hunt said. This event is the first step of many as we bring these projects closer to construction.”
In this new era of transportation, CDOT, keenly focused on using taxpayers’ dollars efficiently, has streamlined and accelerated its process. Projects start soon and are built faster. Planning, financing and construction – once distinct and separate stages – now overlap, providing more transparency and more efficiency.
That’s the case for the C-470 and I-70 East projects, which are concluding lengthy and comprehensive planning processes. At the same time, CDOT has asked the HighPerformance Transportation Enterprise to explore financing opportunities, to begin the first steps of the lengthy and transparent construction contracting process at the same time as the environmental process.
"CDOT is taking the necessary steps to identify funding and procurement methods, regardless of which alternatives are ultimately chosen," said Kirk Webb, director of National Environmental Policy Act planning for CDOT Region 1.
More information is available at the Connect2DOT Program at (720) 624-6748 or http://www.connect2dot.org/spotlight.
