Perlmutter Applauds Gold Line & West Corridor Funding Announcement in 2011 Budget

February 11, 2010

Lakewood, CO – On February 5, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) formally announced $80 million included in the President’s 2011 budget for the Regional Transportation District’s FasTracks program.  The President’s proposed 2011 budget recommends $40 million dollars each for the Gold Line and West Corridor projects.

“I am pleased the FTA will be moving forward with full funding grant agreements for the Gold Line and West Corridor projects.  Completion of FasTracks will create jobs, ease traffic congestion, and make the Denver Metro area a world-class example of public transportation.  These light rail projects will spur economic growth for both Jefferson and Adams County.  I look forward to working with RTD, the Administration and the Colorado Delegation to make sure these projects continue to move forward,” stated U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07).
 
The Gold Line is a proposed 11.2-mile electric commuter rail line that will connect Denver Union Station to Wheat Ridge, passing through northwest Denver, Adams County and Arvada. The 12.1-mile West Corridor light rail project is the first of the FasTracks corridors to start construction. FTA’s $40 million recommendation for this corridor is part of the full $308 million Full Funding Grant Agreements (FFGA) approved in 2009. The West Corridor line will operate between Denver Union Station in downtown Denver and the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden; serving Denver, Lakewood, the Denver Federal Center, Golden and Jefferson County. The line is scheduled to open to the public in 2013.