[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               THE OPENING OF DENVER'S LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM

                                 ______


                        HON. PATRICIA SCHROEDER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, today marks a significant milestone in 
the ongoing efforts of the Denver, CO region to address air pollution, 
traffic congestion, and quality of life issues which derive in part 
from our over-burdened transportation network. Growth in our region has 
far outpaced the capacity of our roads to accommodate resultant 
increased traffic volume. Douglas County, for example, is among the 
fastest growing areas in the Nation. Population there has climbed at a 
rate of over 135 percent over the last decade, with traffic volumes on 
Santa Fe Drive projected to grow by more than 150 percent by the year 
2015.
  While I am certainly Denver's biggest advocate as a wonderful place 
to live and work, we have to make every effort to redress our mounting 
traffic woes and to lift the metropolitan area our of its ``serious'' 
clean air goal non-attainment status. Many governmental agencies, 
environmental organizations and others are pushing the envelope for 
creative and aggressive solution to these problems so that our quality 
of life does not further suffer. I want Denver to continue to be viewed 
as the Nation's premier place to be.
  Among the many jewels we boast in the Denver area is the Regional 
Transportation District, last year voted the Nation's number one 
transit provider. Bucking industry trends, RTD has increased its bus 
ridership for seven consecutive years. It provides safe, clean and 
reliable service to more than 61 million riders each year, makes a 
significant contribution to improved public mobility and quality of 
life. RTD has been a leader in forging new and timely solutions to our 
pollution and congestion problems.
  Just last month, RTD opened the long-awaited Downtown Express, new 
bus/HOV lanes from I-25 North into Downtown Denver. Already a smashing 
success, these lanes are providing an attractive alternative to single-
occupancy vehicle commutes by saving time and stress. With the opening 
today of the first 5.3 miles of light rail in Downtown Denver, RTD is 
helping Denver to move into the next century with a proven rapid 
transit option which promises to further reduce pollution by taking 
cars and buses off the streets, and greatly enhance mobility for the 
transit dependent, students, downtown commuters, tourists, and others. 
Among the many business, cultural and governmental facilities which 
will now be easier to access with light rail are the Auraria Campus, 
the Broadway Marketplace, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, the 
Colorado Convention Center, the 16th Street Mall, the Byron White 
Courthouse, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and numerous restaurants, 
churches and retail shopping opportunities.
  As this light rail system expands in the future, we hope that it will 
reduce the reliance on cars in our region and provide the key to 
cleaner air, reduced commute times, and ensure a quality of life for 
generations to come which has made Denver a proud and attractive city.

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