Leaders: Northwest Rail Line should get priority from RTD
Gov. Jared Polis and local community leaders are urging the Regional Transportation District to prioritize completing the Northwest Rail Line through Boulder County after the district’s new chief executive expressed skepticism about the project.
Polis sent a letter to CEO and General Manager Debra Johnson on Friday, stating that he was “extremely concerned” by reports that she had questioned whether extending the Northwest Rail Line, also known as the B Line, from Westminster to Longmont is the best optionfortheregion.
Johnson has questioned the wisdom of further expanding the line several times since she started in the position in November, most recently at an event organized by Boulder Transportation Connections on Jan. 13, according to Colorado Public Radio.
The B Line currently connects Westminster to Union Station by commuter rail, but the 2004 tax increase approved by voters and accompanying FasTracks transit plan dictates that the line extend through Broomfield, Louisville, Boulder, Gunbarrel and Longmont using existing BNSF Railway tracks.
“I write to remind you of RTD’s responsibility of fulfilling their obligations to the taxpayers of the District and urgently request you begin the planning necessary to complete the construction of the corridor by 2025. Please keep this priority in mind, particularly, as the District evaluates how to spend significant additional dollars that have been unexpectedly provided directly to RTD via federal stimulus payments,” Polis wrote.
RTD has undergone hefty financial challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, leading to reduced services and layoffs. The agency is expecting to receive a $200 million in aid from the federal government, The Denver Post reported last week, which will be used to return operators and other frontline employees to work.
Polis wrote of RTD’s “statutory and ethical duty” to voters to complete FasTracks.
“I am committed to ensuring that during my tenure as Governor and beyond, that sacred promise with taxpayers is kept,” Polis wrote.
In a statement, Johnson reiterated comments she has made in “multiple stakeholder meetings” that she plans to work with partners across the region on how to best serve RTD customers.
“Specific to the Northwest Rail Line, I am keenly aware of the commitment made and the fact that there is no viable funding to complete the project at this juncture,” she said. “That being said, I am open to having an open and transparent dialogue with community partners on exploring ideas on serving our customers in the northwest area.”
Officials with Boulder County, Longmont, Louisville and Boulder said they agree with Polis’ letter and RTD’s obligation to complete the Northwest Rail Line.
Louisville Mayor Ashley Stolzmann said she hears from constituents frequently about the project and that it’s a point of frustration for people.
“We’ve put in the transitoriented development and we’re very eager to get our system hooked into the rest of the region,” Stolzmann said. “I am very hopeful this year will be the year we’ll be able to work with Amtrak to get it done.”
Boulder Mayor Sam Weaver also referred to working with Amtrak and the possibility of a Front Range railway that would span the I-25 corridor. The state has been studying the feasibility of a Front Range rail line for roughly three years. One of the proposed lines would connect Boulder and Longmont with Union Station.
“I think it’s critically important we get a rail connection between Denver and Boulder, and I think fairness dictates that RTD pay for their fair share of that,” Weaver said. “I appreciate the governor’s supporting that and I agree that RTD has an obligation and fulfilling that obligation is important.”
Boulder County officials met with RTD earlier this month to discuss transportation in the region, said Commissioner Marta Loachamin, including how important the Northwest Rail is to Boulder County communities.
“I support and appreciate the governor looking out for northern Colorado because we do not have the type of infrastructure the Denver area has yet, and that’s going to be critical,” she said.