[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 639 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 639

   Recognizing the benefits of transportation improvements along the 
   United States Route 36 corridor to communities, individuals, and 
                        businesses in Colorado.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 31, 2008

   Mr. Salazar (for himself and Mr. Allard) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Environment and 
                              Public Works

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the benefits of transportation improvements along the 
   United States Route 36 corridor to communities, individuals, and 
                        businesses in Colorado.

Whereas the Colorado communities of Westminster, Louisville, Superior, 
        Broomfield, Denver, and Boulder have united in support of transportation 
        improvement along the United States Route 36 corridor (in this preamble 
        referred to as the ``U.S. 36 Corridor'');
Whereas communities in Denver, Adams, Broomfield, Jefferson, and Boulder 
        counties, which have experienced unprecedented levels of growth since 
        the early 1990s, are connected by the U.S. 36 Corridor;
Whereas the area's rapid growth has outpaced its transportation needs and is 
        impeding the efficient movement of people and goods;
Whereas the U.S. 36 Corridor exemplifies the congestion challenges facing the 
        fastest-growing sections of States in the American West;
Whereas the U.S. 36 Corridor is a dynamic travel corridor with bi-directional 
        travel to and from the multiple communities throughout the day;
Whereas addressing congestion along the U.S. 36 Corridor is critical to the work 
        and school commutes of thousands of Coloradans between communities in 
        the Denver metropolitan area and Boulder;
Whereas the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Regional 
        Transportation District, in conjunction with the Federal Highway 
        Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, have been 
        studying multimodal transportation improvements between Denver and 
        Boulder in the U.S. 36 Corridor environmental impact statement since 
        2003;
Whereas public comments received in the process of developing the environmental 
        impact statement sought a transportation solution that further reduced 
        the impacts on the community and the environment, minimized project 
        costs, and improved mobility of people and goods;
Whereas the U.S. 36 Corridor project, as developed through the environmental 
        impact statement process, is a national model for congestion mitigation 
        measures, which may combine tolling, public transit, technology, 
        teleworking, and bikeway options that can be quickly implemented and 
        have an immediate impact;
Whereas the U.S. 36 Corridor could become a premier transportation corridor, 
        complete with bus rapid transit, high occupancy vehicle lanes, and safe 
        bicycling lanes;
Whereas the U.S. 36 Corridor project represents a thoughtful, comprehensive 
        approach to congestion on the Nation's roadways;
Whereas a record of decision will be issued in 2009, which will permit 
        construction to commence on the U.S. 36 Corridor project;
Whereas the U.S. 36 Corridor project was among the highest ranked congestion 
        mitigation proposals submitted under the Department of Transportation's 
        Urban Partnership Agreement Program; and
Whereas it is important that Congress find innovative ways to fund regionally 
        significant transportation projects, especially projects that will 
        improve air quality, expand transportation choice, reduce congestion, 
        and provide access to bicycle and pedestrian facilities: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commends the members of the Mayors and Commissioners 
        Coalition, the Colorado Department of Transportation, the 
        Regional Transportation District, and the businesses that 
        support 36 Commuting Solutions, a public-private nonprofit 
        organization, for their commitment, dedication, and efforts to 
        proceed with the United States Route 36 corridor project;
            (2) recognizes the benefits for mobility, the environment, 
        and quality of life that would be gained by investing in 
        transportation improvements along the United States Route 36 
        corridor, throughout Colorado and elsewhere; and
            (3) supports Federal transportation investments along 
        United States Route 36, throughout Colorado, and elsewhere that 
        reduce congestion, reduce carbon emissions, improve mobility, 
        improve access to transit for bicyclists and pedestrians, 
        reduce vehicle miles traveled, reduce dependence on foreign 
        oil, support mass transit, include intelligent transportation 
        systems, and implement travel demand management strategies.
                                 <all>