When Commuting Solutions was formed in 1998, our first effort was to assemble the public and private sectors around transforming the US 36 corridor into an epicenter for business, life and recreation. Our role as a convener involved building consensus with multiple stakeholders and businesses and developing an effective transportation plan to meet our region’s needs. That initial project (later to be known as the US 36 Express Lanes Project) came to near completion in 2016 and marks a significant milestone for our organization.
Progress, such as the first segment of rail to Westminster, was abundant this year and demonstrates what we, as a region, can achieve when we band together. Looking back, here are our top five accomplishments of 2016:
- The Near Completion of the US 36 Express Lanes Project. The 18-mile US 36 Bikeway was completed, Flatiron Flyer Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service launched and the US 36 Express Lanes opened.
- The B Line to Westminster. The first segment of commuter rail in the Northwest corridor opened on July 25 and sees over 1,400 riders each day (800 more riders per day than originally projected!).
- Bus Rapid Transit on Highways 119 and 7. Highway 119 and Highway 7 were identified in the Northwest Mobility Study (NAMS) as being prime corridors for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. This year, studies to assess the feasibility of establishing BRT service on both highways moved forward.
- Inspiring Commute Behavior Change. We launched (and continued) a number of programs aimed at inspiring commuters to change the way they travel. Our efforts resulted in providing incentives to over 190 solo drivers who opted to car/vanpool or take transit, motivating 65 individuals to try biking, hosting six community bike rides and providing over 700 employees with RTD Master EcoPasses for the second year in a row.
- First-and-Final Mile Improvements. This year we initiated work on the Northwest Corridor Wayfinding Design and Implementation Plan, opened discussions on a regional bike share program, and secured funding for five of the twelve planned Bike-n-Ride shelters.
This is just a glimpse into the progress we made this year and highlights the most impactful projects of 2016. Stay tuned for our 2016 annual review, which will include a comprehensive overview of our regional impact and progress.
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