US 287 Corridor Project September 2021 Update: BRT Feasibility Study

Transit Corridor Projects, US 287

The US 287 Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study is coming to its conclusion with the modeling results and Stations Area Toolkit completed.

The Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS) identified the US 287 corridor as a candidate to implement Bus Rapid Transit and found that US 287 had the highest projected ridership.

The Stakeholder Working Group, consisting of technical staff from municipal and agency partners, met Sept. 14. A public meeting will be scheduled this fall for the public to provide input.

Input provided from the meeting, as well as from elected officials, will be put into a report, which will then be provided to the community.

Boulder County is working to build a coalition between Broomfield and Fort Collins and working with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to accept federal funding to begin working on the next phase of planning the corridor: Vision Zero Safety and Multimodal Mobility.

For questions, contact Jeff Butts, Multimodal Transportation Planner at jbutts@bouldercounty.org.

US 287 Corridor Project July 2021 Update: Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study

Transit Corridor Projects, US 287

The US 287 Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study continues to advance with the consultant team and governmental partners working to finalize the modeling inputs to best understand ridership and time savings potential.

The Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS) identified the US 287 corridor as a candidate to implement Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and found that US 287 had the highest projected ridership.

As a result of the NAMS, US 287 was recommended to be prioritized for implementation.

Commuting Solutions is working on Coalition Building to include conversations for the entire travel shed between Fort Collins and Denver.

There is an additional public meeting anticipated within the next month or two before finalizing the study and moving onto Phase II.

For more information, visit Boulder County’s webpage.

US 287 Corridor Project – April 2021 Update

Transit Corridor Projects, US 287

Boulder County and its regional partners are starting a multi-phases re-envisioning of the US 287 corridor between Broomfield and Longmont.

The first phase of the study examines the feasibility of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) implementation to address the growing congestion and travel demand in the area. The study will make recommendations to address transit travel times on US 287, identify potential funding sources and provide the framework for the implementation of BRT along the corridor.

Boulder County held a public meeting on April 14 to discuss multi-modal improvements on US 287. It included visuals of potential Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) guideways and allowed members of the public to ask questions and share opinions.

The video is available online at Boulder County’s website.

Currently, the County is seeking input on the US 287 BRT Study, which can be completed online.

US 287 Corridor Project – March 2021 Update

Transit Corridor Projects, US 287

Boulder County is currently working with stakeholders, regional partners and members of the public to conduct a multi-phased re-envisioning process.

On April 14, Boulder County will host a public meeting to update the community and solicit feedback on the US 287 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Feasibility Study. The meeting will be held virtually, and members of the public can register online.

The study is in the first of a multi-phased planning effort and will begin to look at alternatives for enhancing transit service along US 287. It extends from CO 66 to US 36 for capital improvements and Fort Collins to Denver for service improvements.

The study will also identify potential funding sources and provide the framework for the next steps for the implementation of the BRT along US 287.

During the public meeting, attendees can expect to hear about how the values statements from previous public outreach have been transposed into ranking, routing options for consideration and station treatments.

Northwest Area Mobility Study FAQ

Colorado Highway 7, Northwest Rail, State Highway 119, Transit Corridor Projects, US 287

Northwest Area Mobility Study MapWhat is the Northwest Area Mobility Study?

The Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS) was a 13-month long planning effort led by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) that developed a prioritized list of transit mobility improvements for the northwest metro region.

The study was a collaborative effort that addresses significant cost increases and delays associated with building and operating the 41-mile Northwest Rail commuter rail line from Longmont to Denver.

The study concluded with elected officials, the Regional Transportation District (RTD), Colorado Department of Transportation, and 13 area jurisdictions (City of Arvada, City of Boulder, Boulder County, City and County of Broomfield, City of Lafayette, City of Longmont, City of Louisville, Town of Superior and the City of Westminster) University of Colorado-Boulder and agencies reaching consensus on transit priorities in the region.

What areas does the Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS) include?

The study concentrated on the northwest metro region including Longmont, Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Broomfield, Thornton, Westminster and Denver.

What priorities does the Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS) include?

  • Phased construction of Northwest Rail: The study evaluated operational/service options and construction phasing options along the Northwest Rail line from Westminster to go through Boulder and Longmont.
  • Feasibility of Extending North Metro Line to Longmont: As an alternative to providing commuter rail service to Longmont on the Northwest Rail through Boulder, the study evaluated the feasibility of providing commuter rail service to Longmont along various alignments by extending the North Metro Line.
  • US 36 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Commitments: The study determined the remaining final commitments for the FasTracks BRT funding and scope for the US 36 corridor and complete corresponding commitments.
  • B Line (Formerly known as Northwest Rail): Annually evaluate strategies to accelerate the implementation of the B Line while recognizing it is a long-term project. Evaluate the feasibility and cost of constructing the line in segments.
  • US 36 to Denver Reverse Commute: Work with CDOT to evaluate the reverse commute traffic between Denver Union Station and US 36. For the I-25 downtown express lane, evaluate alternatives to ease reverse commute traffic.
  • Additional arterial BRT: Consider implementing additional arterial BRT/enhanced bus corridors.

What are some of the US 36 Bus Rapid Transit Commitments?

US 36 BRT was included as part of the ballot initiative that funded the original FasTracks plan, which stated RTD would provide a set financial commitment to the US 36 project. This commitment assumed to provide stations and park-n-rides along the corridor and a proportional share of the cost to provide bus/high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

BRT has been considered an alternative for rapid transit service on US 36 since the completion of US 36 Major Investment Study in 2001.

NAMS determined the remaining final commitments for the US 36 BRT service. The US 36 BRT FasTracks program included two implementation phases.

The first phase, completed in May 2010, included the first FasTracks project to reach 100% completion.

  • It consisted of three separate projects along US 36, designed to improve park-n-Ride access as well as travel-time savings between Boulder and Denver.
  • Improvements included pedestrian bridges and bus stops for McCaslin Boulevard, Church Ranch Boulevard and Broomfield stations.

The second phase included building an express lane in each direction to accommodate HOV, Bus Rapid Transit and tolled Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOV).

What were some of the corridors listed in the Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS)?

The corridors listed include:

  • SH 119: The Diagonal Highway corridor project connects Boulder to Longmont and travels through Niwot and Gunbarrel. There are an estimated 45,000 vehicles that travel the corridor daily, and it is projected there will be a 25% increase by 2040.
  • US 287: The corridor between Longmont and Broomfield. This project is currently undergoing a re-envisioning process which includes a Bus Rapid Transit implementation to address the growing congestion and travel demand in the area.
  • Colorado 7: The corridor is between Brighton and Boulder. By 2040, there is projected to be more than 56,000 new residents and 38,000 new jobs along the corridor. This will lead to a 37% increase in traffic along an already congested corridor.
  • Additional Arterial BRT: The plan considered implementing additional arterial BRT/enhanced bus corridors such as 120th Avenue, Colorado 42/95th Street and South Boulder Road.

What are some resources I can read about the Northwest Area Mobility Study?

US 287 Corridor Project – February 2021 Update

Transit Corridor Projects, US 287

US 287 Corridor Project MapBoulder County is currently working with stakeholders, regional partners, and members of the public, to conduct a multi-phased re-envisioning process.

The first phase of the study closely examines Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) implementation on the US 287 corridor between Longmont and Broomfield to address the growing congestion and travel demand in the area.

The study will recommend the type and location of capital investments that will enhance transit travel times on US 287 by conducting an analysis that will assess traffic patterns, current transit operations and infrastructure, vehicle queue lengths, opportunities for intersection treatments and Station Area Toolkits.

The study will also identify potential funding sources and provide the framework for the next steps for the implementation of the BRT along US 287.

In December, Boulder County created and distributed a survey to the public. Results will be shared soon!