COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A Rocky Mountain Rail Authority (RMRA) study determined that high-speed rail is feasible in Colorado's I-70 and I-25 corridors.
The study, funded by the Colorado Department of Transportation, aimed to determine if there is at least one technically, financially and economically feasible project to warrant further exploration. The study determined that answer is yes.
It's a big first step down a long road ahead. One of the next biggest challenges is finding funding. "First, we have to find the funding before anything becomes relevant. Secondly, how are you going to acquire the land and layout of the line," explained El Paso County Commissioner Wayne Williams.
In a time when the state is facing a budget crisis and many local governments are cutting services, including transportation, some may wonder how we can afford to build a high speed rail.
"One difference in the high speed rail is once it's built it operates at a profit," meaning the people riding it end up paying enough to cover all the operating costs, explained Williams.
Prices and travel times would be contingent on what kind of high speed rail line is built, but the service would include two-to-three trains per hour in peak periods with more than 18 trains per day in each corridor.
Representative fares and travel times include:
DIA to Colorado Springs - $32 fare & 1:00 travel time
DIA to Keystone- $30 fare & 1:15 travel time
Downtown Denver to Vail - $40 fare & 2:00 travel time
Fort Collins to Silverthorne - $48 & 2:00 travel time
The costs may seem a bit high for a one-way fare, but Williams said customers will end up paying for the convenience of avoiding interstate traffic and adverse weather and road conditions.
Supporters say the rail will provide a powerful boost to the Colorado economy, generating $33 billion of benefits through jobs, income, property values and more. Williams is hopeful the line will also boost traffic through the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport. "We joined to make sure our interests are looked after that our airport was made viable by rail line if it's built."
There are still many more questions that need to be explored and answered before there are any known certainties involving a rail line. Williams adds even if everything were to progress forward without any bumps it would be at least ten years before any construction even began.
To read more about the project and the feasibility study's results visit rockymountainrail.org or click here.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKXRM