Relieving Traffic with Transit

More people are using our transportation system than ever before and the number is projected to keep rising.

Our state population grew by 1.59 million over the last 20 years and is on track to grow another 1.69 million over the next 20 years. As the population increases, so too does the distance many Coloradans need to travel between home and work, resulting in more vehicle travel and increased maintenance costs. Today, Colorado ranks 37th in the nation for traffic congestion, approaching the status of states commonly associated with the worst delays in the nation. At the same time, there is growing recognition that Colorado cannot simply build its way out of congestion.

The solutions in this plan include a mixture of highway capacity improvements and transit expansion projects in urban areas. This includes projects that would improve intersections and expand highway capacity at strategic locations along with investments in new mobility hubs that increase access to transit and carpooling.

Years 1-4 Highlights

Includes a mix of projects that help move vehicles while improving access to options beyond the single-occupant trip.

Colorado’s most congested highway segments will be widened and interchanges known for traffic backups and high crash rates will be reconstructed.

Includes new buses for Bustang (CDOT’s transit service), and new mobility “hubs” where commuters can catch the bus or connect with a carpool.

Years 5-10 Highlights

$1.65 billion (53%) of the unfunded project list would be dedicated to providing needed congestion relief.

Continues the strategic investment in both road and transit infrastructure along the interstates while addressing roads like US 285 that are feeling the impact of overflow congestion from I-70.