[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 129 (Thursday, July 31, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S7976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 639--RECOGNIZING THE BENEFITS OF TRANSPORTATION 
IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THE UNITED STATES ROUTE 36 CORRIDOR TO COMMUNITIES, 
                INDIVIDUALS, AND BUSINESSES IN COLORADO

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

                              S. Res. 639

       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.

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