Funding on track for U.S. 36 work

BROOMFIELD – Major construction to widen a 10-mile portion of U.S. 36 between Denver and Broomfield should begin next summer, as a major piece of funding is scheduled to be approved next month, a transportation expert told Broomfield business leaders and politicians Tuesday.

The Broomfield Economic Development Corp. hosted its annual summer investor event Tuesday at the Hyatt Summerfield Suites, where guests heard updates about transportation plans and the local real estate environment.

The redevelopment of U.S. 36 is progressing, as funding sources have been firmed up, said Audrey DeBarros, executive director of 36 Commuting Solutions, a coalition of governments and businesses seeking to push the project forward.

A $54 million loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act is on track to close in late August, and in September a request for proposal should be ready, DeBarros said.

Including the grant, $310 million in funding has been identified, including $38 million from the Colorado Department of Transportation and $120 million from the Regional Transportation District. That is enough to add a managed toll/carpool lane each direction from the Interlocken Loop exit to the existing express lane near Interstate 25 and build portions of the bikeway that will flank the highway.

The money also would replace bridges over the highway in Broomfield and Westminster.

The total cost of the widening the highway, building a bus rapid transit system and building the bikeway between Boulder and Denver is estimated to be $1.3 billion. Money for that phase of the project has not been obtained.

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