Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS)
Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS)
What is NAMS?
The Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS) was a 13-month planning initiative led by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) to identify and prioritize transit improvements across the northwest metro region. The study was launched in response to significant cost increases and delays associated with building and operating the proposed 41-mile Northwest Rail Line between Longmont and Denver.
NAMS Collaborative Process
Through a collaborative process, RTD worked alongside the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the University of Colorado Boulder, and 13 local jurisdictions—including Arvada, Boulder, Broomfield, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Superior, Westminster, and Boulder County—to evaluate mobility needs and explore practical alternatives.
The study concluded in 2014, with broad consensus among elected officials and regional partners on a set of transit priorities aimed at improving access, reliability, and long-term sustainability for communities throughout the region.
From Planning to Action
Commuting Solutions was proud to help create the Northwest Area Mobility Study, and we remain deeply committed to bringing its recommendations to life. From securing funding to coordinating service design and outreach, we work behind the scenes to turn plans into progress. Our team regularly convenes regional partners, shares critical updates, and participates in the corridor planning and advocacy process, that supports smarter, more connected travel throughout the NAMS corridors.
NAMS Priorities
- US 36 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Determine the remaining FasTracks BRT funding/scope for the US 36 corridor and complete corresponding commitments.
- Priority Arterial BRT Corridors: Conduct advanced planning and design of arterial BRT on CO 119, CO 7 and US 287. New funding must be identified for these and other arterial BRT corridors.
- US 36 to Denver Reverse Commute: Work with CDOT to evaluate the reverse commute traffic between Denver Union Station and US 36 (e.g. Boulder-bound a.m. travel and Denver-bound p.m. travel). For the I-25 downtown Express Lane, evaluate alternatives to ease reverse commute traffic.
- B Line (formerly known as Northwest Rail): Annually evaluate strategies to accelerate implementation of the B Line while recognizing it is a long-term project. Evaluate the feasibility and cost of constructing the line in segments.
- Additional Arterial BRT: Consider implementing additional arterial BRT/enhanced bus corridors (South Boulder Road, 120th Avenue and Colorado 42/95th Street)
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Projects
RTD is currently working on a number of BRT-related projects associated with NAMS, including:
- Completing construction for CO 119.
- Proceeding with planning efforts for CO 7.
- Proceeding with planning efforts for US 287 between Longmont and US 36.
Commuting Solutions collaborates with local and regional partners to identify funding for these and other arterial BRT corridors.
NAMS Corridors
120th Avenue
120th Avenue is an important regional corridor that has been identified for multimodal improvements in various plans and studies.
CO Highway 119
Construction is underway on the CO 119 Safety, Mobility, and Bikeway Project, complemented by Boulder’s 28th Street Improvements and Longmont’s Coffman Street Busway—together advancing a shared commitment to safer, more accessible travel.
CO Highway 42
The Cities of Lafayette and Louisville are working together to envision the future of State Highway 42 (also known as 95th Street, CO 42 or Courtesy Road) for people to walk, bike, ride transit or drive.
CO Highway 7
Commuting Solutions helped complete the Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS), which identified Colorado Highway 7 as a top priority for future transportation investment.
South Boulder Road
The South Boulder Road corridor is a critical east-west corridor in Boulder County, serving both regional and local connections between the three cities of Boulder, Louisville, and Lafayette. Through its 9.5-mile length from the intersection of Table Mesa Drive and Broadway in Boulder to the intersection of South Boulder Road and 120th Street in Lafayette, the corridor serves 50,000 residents and nearly 20,000 jobs within one mile.
US 287
Boulder County, in coordination with stakeholders, regional partners and members of the public, is starting a multi-phased re-envisioning process of US 287.