Rep. Lauren Boebert Submits Infrastructure Grant Requests for Pueblo, Mesa County, and the I-70 Corridor
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert submitted three grant support letters for the Pueblo Medal of Honor Boulevard Extension Project, the Mesa County Orchard Avenue Project, and the I-70 Corridor Resilience and Connectivity Improvements Project.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert stated, “I am fighting for real infrastructure solutions that will benefit rural Colorado. I worked closely with local stakeholders to submit grant support letters for three local priorities, including the Pueblo Medal of Honor Boulevard Extension Project, the Mesa County Orchard Avenue Project, and the I-70 Corridor Resilience and Connectivity Improvements Project. Improving rural transportation in Colorado communities is one of my top priorities in Congress. I’m hopeful the Department of Transportation will give these three projects full and fair consideration.”
Background:
Congresswoman Boebert submitted letters of support for the following three projects:
I-70 Corridor Resilience and Connectivity Improvements Project
The Colorado Department of Transportation is requesting a grant to improve the resiliency of the I-70 corridor since it supports a thriving tourist industry and is a critical freight corridor for national trade. When it is closed, travelers are often forced to divert onto Cottonwood Pass, which is not always wide enough to support two vehicles passing safely. This grant will improve Cottonwood Pass by making safety and mobility improvements like curve softening, enhancing sight distance, and increasing road width.
The full text of Congresswoman Boebert’s letter in support of a grant for the I-70 Corridor Resilience and Connectivity Improvements Project is available here.
This effort builds on Congresswoman Boebert’s previous efforts to strengthen and support I-70. When I-70 was shut down for 16.5 days following a catastrophic mudslide, she was one of the first elected officials to visit the scene and led Colorado’s bipartisan congressional delegation in securing millions of dollars in emergency support.
She also introduced the I-70 Detour Act to alleviate the burden of I-70 shutdowns on communities surrounding the I-70 corridor and to ensure commerce for the West Slope doesn't come to a screeching halt every time I-70 shuts down. The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to identify and prioritize funding for identifying repairs and alternative routes to I-70 to reduce traffic, increase safety, and improve rural Colorado’s resilience.
Pueblo’s Medal of Honor Boulevard Extension Project
The Pueblo Medal of Honor Boulevard Extension Project received the approval of voters in Pueblo County who agreed to pay 50% of the costs. Congresswoman Boebert’s grant request letter asks for the Department of Transportation to cover the other 50% of the project in a federal-local partnership. The Medal of Honor Boulevard Extension Project would create a secondary connection between the City of Pueblo and communities in the western sector of the county, providing access for pedestrians and bicyclists. Additionally, it would reduce congestion and create a backup in case of emergencies like fires and flooding.
The full text of Congresswoman Boebert’s letter in support of a grant for Pueblo’s Medal of Honor Boulevard Extension Project is available here.
Mesa County Orchard Avenue Project
The Mesa County Orchard Avenue Project aims to connect impoverished rural areas to employment opportunities in Grand Junction. This project would create essential multi-modal transportation options to connect residential areas to nearby parks, schools, social services, and jobs.
The full text of Congresswoman Boebert’s letter in support of a grant for the Mesa County Orchard Avenue Project is available here.