Colorado’s Front Range Passenger Rail received $500,000 to start construction on the rail project that will connect Fort Collins to Pueblo.
The funds come from the Corridor Identification and Development Program which is part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will facilitate the development of intercity passenger rail corridors across the nation, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse.
Being included in the program could mean more funding for the project in the future.
"Front Range Passenger Rail will modernize our transit system, save people money, and support jobs and housing across our state. I applaud the Department of Transportation and the Biden administration for securing and providing this funding, and for recognizing the need for this service and the promise to get it done soon. Colorado’s participation in the new Corridor Identification program shows that this project is ready to move forward,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a news release.
The project gathered around $4 million in late 2021 for a feasibility study and service plan of which $1.6 million was contributed by the Colorado Transportation Commission’s reserves.
The $500,000 is slated to quantify the costs and service for the new corridor, according to Andy Karsian, general manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District.
Early estimates for the project fall between $1.7 billion and $2.8 billion and would include six trains that connect Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins.
