FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 27, 1998
Contact: Jacqueline Bennett
Tel: (202) 366-0786
FTA 6-98
VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES
AWARD OF $22.9 MILLION TO DENVER RTD FOR
SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR LIGHT RAIL EXTENSION
Vice President Gore today announced a $22.9 million grant in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds to the Denver Regional Transit District (RTD) to continue construction of the Denver Southwest Corridor Light Rail Transit extension.
"In a new economy, we must continue with smart transportation investments," Vice President Gore said. "This project will provide the people of Denver with long-term transportation solutions that will last well into the next century."
The project will include 8.7 miles of new transit service from the existing end of the line station at Broadway Avenue and Interstate 25 in Denver to the park-and-ride facility at Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue in Littleton. All stations will be fully accessible to persons with disabilities and will include park-and-ride lots and connecting bus service.
"President Clinton is committed to investing in transportation which will strengthen the economy and provide improved public transportation to the people of Denver," U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater said. "Expanding this transit system will provide several hundred short and long-term jobs in Denver as well as improved mobility, improved safety and reduced traffic congestion."
The RTD extension will also provide Denver commuters with improved transit access to downtown jobs the Auraria library and Arapahoe Community College.
A multi-year full funding grant agreement between the FTA and the RTD was signed in May 1996 with a federal commitment of $120 million. To date, $25.7 million in federal funding has been committed to this project. Construction of the system is underway and is expected to be completed by the year 2000.
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