Mohamed Bughrara
The Biden-Harris Administration got right to work implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, and it is already yielding results for Colorado residents. To date, $1.9 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced, with over 60 specific projects identified for funding. Colorado will receive more than $1.1 billion in transportation funding this year alone to invest in roads, bridges, public transportation, ports, and airports, as well as more than $120 million in clean water.
As of today, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act provided affordable internet to over 150,000 households across the state. In the coming months, many more projects will be added as funding opportunities become grant awards and formula funds become specific projects.
By reaching communities all across Colorado – including rural communities and historically underserved populations – the law makes critical investments that will improve lives for Coloradans and position the state for success.
Although the United States pioneered modern aviation, our airports lag far behind those of our competitors. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, Colorado airports would receive approximately $432 million in infrastructure development over a five-year period. This funding will address airport needs, such as improving runways, taxiways, and airport-owned towers, as well as terminal development and noise reduction projects.
Furthermore, $5 billion in discretionary funding is available over five years for airport terminal development projects that address our nation’s aging infrastructure, including projects that increase accessibility for people with disabilities, increase access for historically marginalized populations, enhance energy efficiency, and improve airfield safety.
As part of the Airport Terminal Program (ATP), Denver International Airport will obtain $60 million, the largest airport discretionary grant in the country for the ATP. The investment will replace decaying infrastructure, upgrade energy efficiency, and provide upgrades that will boost terminal capacity to accommodate 100 million travelers per year. In addition, airports such as Northern Colorado Regional in Fort Collins/Loveland will gather $295,000 in funding while Pueblo Memorial Airport will receive funding of over a million dollars.
There will be a number of other significant milestones in the coming weeks for Ten Year Plan Projects funded by SB260, including a ribbon cutting on September 29 for the Research and Powers Interchange in Colorado Springs (CO-21).
The new interchange will be open to the public on Wednesday, September 14, and a ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 29 at 10 a.m. at West Creek Park in Colorado Springs to commemorate this critical milestone. This project received federal stimulus funds faster than any other state in the nation and is now on schedule and within budget. Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers will be present, as will other state and Pikes Peak region officials.
Mayor Suthers and the Pikes Peak Area General Governments (PPACG) assigned this project as their top delivery priority during the development of the ten year plan. The day before, CDOT will start celebrating the fulfillment of the I-70 Parachute to Rulison Resurfacing project on the Western Slope, which will improve driving conditions on this vital East-West link.
