This time last year, we were celebrating the completion of CDOT’s US 36 Express Lanes Project, one of the largest construction projects in Colorado! This summer, we are pleased to share that the efforts and patience of the traveling public during construction has paid off. A model for the nation, the US 36 Express Lanes Project took an innovative approach to traffic congestion along US 36 and incorporates multimodal transportation that increases commuter options, in addition to an innovative financing mechanism through CDOT’s first Public-Private Partnership (P3). CDOT’s US 36 Express Lanes Project gives travelers in the northwest metro region a choice to zip past traffic in the US Express Lanes, Bus Rapid Transit services or along the US 36 Bikeway for today and into the future.
We are proud to share that RTD’s Flatiron Flyer has played a critical role in increasing bus ridership. With stations serviced every 15 minutes and the regional bus route transporting 14,500 riders every day, it is no surprise that ridership is up by nearly 50 percent. While the Flatiron Flyer is transporting a record number of commuters every day, the US 36 Express Lanes are playing a critical role in keeping people moving, whether on the bus or in a car. Since the opening of the US 36 Express Lanes, CDOT has seen lane speeds increase on certain days by as much as 29 percent faster than ever before! Not only are a record number of commuters reaching their final destinations, but they are getting there quicker. In addition to RTD Flatiron Flyer and US 36 Express Lanes ridership growth, the cycling community along the US 36 Bikeway is rapidly expanding! Since the Bikeway has opened, 175,707 cyclists and pedestrians have traveled along the bikeway to make an important transit connection and connect to new communities in our region.
While commuters and residents in the northwest metro region travel easily to their destinations, our work to increase mobility and connect the communities in our region is not over yet! We are continuing to work closely with our partners to find the sweet spot between transportation options, public-private partnerships, and technology.
An example of the intersect between transit and technology is the emergence of real-time transit apps. In three simple steps, commuters in our region can download Transit on their Apple or Android device to receive real-time transit updates, compare commute options and locate bike shelters and bike share stations nearby. To learn more about Transit please visit the Boulder County website.
At Commuting Solutions, we are proud of the innovation and collaboration that continues to propel our region into the future. We want to say thank you to our partners who played a critical role in CDOT’s US 36 Express Lanes Project and continue to advance multimodal transportation in our community. Without Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT); Denver Regional Councils of Governments (DRCOG); High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE); Plenary Roads Denver and the Regional Transportation District (RTD), we would not be able to continue to bring commuter options to the northwest metro region. In the coming months, we hope to see the implementation of a regional bike share program, consistent wayfinding signage installed throughout the region and increased ridership of our transit services.