Stop is Part of Colorado Infrastructure Tour Highlighting Critical Need to Maintain Infrastructure and Build New Projects
Comes in Wake of Congressional Inaction on Long-Term Solution for Highway Trust Fund
Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet held a meeting with the North I-25 Coalition and the Fix I-25 North Business Alliance to discuss how reliable funding for infrastructure improvements along the I-25 corridor in Northern Colorado would boost economic development in the region. One example local leaders discussed with Bennet was the expansion of the highway to alleviate congestion and expand commerce opportunities.
The meeting is part of Bennet’s Infrastructure Colorado: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and More tour to highlight Colorado infrastructure projects and call attention to the critical consequences of Congressional failure to develop a long-term solution to our infrastructure needs, threatening our economy, competiveness, and safety.
“The need to widen the I-25 corridor north of Denver is a disturbing example of how the lack of funding for important infrastructure projects is stifling economic expansion,” Bennet said. “Some estimates have indicated that the congestion has cost Northern Colorado businesses $56 million in lost revenue and created major delays for commuters along the Front Range. These communities need Congress to take action and find long-term solutions to fund the infrastructure we need to support future growth.”
Bennet has fought to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure. In April, Bennet sent a letter to the chair and ranking member of the Senate Transportation and Housing appropriations subcommittee, urging them to increase funding for federal programs that could help support projects such as the I-25 expansion. Earlier this year, he sponsored the Partnership to Build America Act, with Republican Senator Roy Blunt from Missouri. The Bennet-Blunt proposal establishes a $50 billion infrastructure fund that can potentially support hundreds of billions in loan guarantees and financing authority for state and local governments. While not a replacement for keeping the Highway Trust Fund solvent, the fund created by the bill would help finance transportation, energy, communications, water, and education infrastructure projects.