Rep. Neguse Announces Over $2.4 Million for Infrastructure Project to Improve Downtown Idaho Springs
Lafayette, CO — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse announced the City of Idaho Springs is the recipient of a monumental $2,410,000 grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT). The funding is made possible through the DOT’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grant program, which invests in road, rail, transit and port projects across the country. In February of this year, Rep. Neguse wrote to United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg expressing his support for the selected project titled the Idaho Springs Downtown Mobility Plan—read his letter of support HERE.
“I am excited to announce this tremendous investment in Colorado’s transportation infrastructure. Cities adjacent to I-70 are impacted greatly by heavy levels of traffic, and this funding will support the redevelopment of historic Idaho Springs,” said Congressman Neguse. “This project will not only improve our community’s overall resiliency, safety, and accessibility but it will allow Idaho Springs to make additional investments in new clean energy and so much more.”
“Our community is once again exceptionally grateful to the Department of Transportation and Congressman Neguse for helping to fund these extremely important pieces of mobility infrastructure. The overall project will provide safe pedestrian access to our new elementary school, connectivity to all forms of multimodal transportation, ranging from our local and statewide transit systems to our countywide greenway. It will also help provide critically needed parking for downtown Idaho Springs, a very important economic driver for the entire county,” said Randy Wheelock, Clear Creek County Commissioner.
“Today I was honored to learn that the City of Idaho Springs will be receiving a 2.4 million dollar RAISE grant award to complete the planning and design for our mobility hub. This vital work will be carried out in preparation for a transportation hub that will benefit this entire region of Colorado. The hub will include a roundabout plus pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, as well as a connection to the Clear Creek Greenway. This transportation hub will enhance public transportation options in the mountain corridor and lessen greenhouse emissions from I-70. We are so very grateful for the support that we received,” said Chuck Harmon, Mayor of Idaho Springs.
The project will complete the planning and design of a mobility hub and associated infrastructure in downtown Idaho Springs, including a roundabout at Exit 240 of Interstate 70 in Colorado. Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure will be incorporated in the area around Exit 240, including a connection to the Clear Creek Greenway.
Additionally, the Idaho Springs Downtown Mobility Plan will:
- Increase the City’s resiliency, safety, and accessibility;
- Address historic impacts related to the construction of Interstate 70 in the City;
- Improve access to the City’s Historic Commercial District;
- And support the redevelopment of the transportation infrastructure in the City’s Historic Downtown Commercial District.
The historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enacted November 2021, significantly increased funding for RAISE Discretionary Grants. Congressman Neguse played a key role in the swift passage and enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a historic piece of legislation that not only rebuilds America’s crumbling roads and bridges, but works to invest in the economy and ensure communities can compete in the 21st Century.
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