In case you haven’t been following it, the Denver Post published a recent column that was critical of the planned FasTracks investments: Can FasTracks Be Saved: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13573154?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com. Just to offer a different perspective, here are two critiques that I think well articulate some of the deficiencies in the Denver Post column: Don’t Throw FasTracks Under the Bus: [...]

While most of the recent news regarding FasTracks has been dreary . . . it is important to remember that the program still marches along, bringing transit benefits and economic activity to the region. Click the link below to access a video update on all the current construction activity associated with FasTracks.  It is an impressive story [...]

In an action that has garnered a bit of press coverage over the past few days, along with a rash of intense dialogue amongst those who are following the distribution of FasTrack resources, I joined with Director Noel Busck in introducing the Regional Equity Compact resolution.  I have attached a copy of the resolution below.  [...]

After six years and an even longer period of initial design work, the US 36 stakeholders (including all the communities along the route, plus loads of state and federal officials) have arrived at a final plan for transportation infrastructure investments along this corridor.  The basics of the plan remain much the same since we first [...]

For those who do not receive the FasTracks newsletter, I am attaching my introductory note:  FasTracks Summer Newsletter – Introductory Note. I am also including a link to the update section of the FasTracks website, which provides a good overall perspective on the current state of affairs for the program:  http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_152. Next on tap . . . [...]

Last week, it was my good fortune to help advance RTD’s move toward becoming a fully sustainable transit system.  Specifically, during debate over issuing the request for proposals for the East and Gold rail lines, I offered the Renewable Electrical Energy Source Amendment (the Renewable Energy Amendment).  The Renewable Energy Amendment requires the three consortiums of private entities that [...]

Just to make sure you have the latest information concerning the FasTracks program, the following is a link to the budget presentation staff gave the RTD Board last month: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_152. The punch line is that the FasTracks budget dropped $1 billion in the last year, to $6.9 billion.  This is due to reduced demand for some [...]

My Listening Tour around Boulder County continues with some interesting input from various citizens groups and individuals regarding FasTracks. Most surprising to me has been the near unanimous support for FasTracks from traditionally conservative voices in our community.  The membership of Boulder Tomorrow, with the mission of “promoting the long-term economic vitality of the Boulder Valley,” [...]

My so-called Listening Tour is well underway. Already, I have enjoyed meetings with four different transportation and public policy groups. Thus, I figure it’s time for an interim report from the road. My tour began with a Town Hall meeting that the City of Boulder Transportation Advisory Board hosted on January 12. Most of the folks in attendance [...]

While I am no Hilary Clinton or Caroline Kennedy . . . I figured it was time for my own FasTracks Listening Tour. Seriously, over the course of the next few weeks, I will be meeting with various groups and organizations in the Boulder area to get their thoughts on RTD service.  While all issues [...]