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ACTION ALERT Colorado TRIP Report
Released TODAY Today, TRIP, a national transportation research group, released their annual study on the state of Colorado roads, “Colorado Transportation by the Numbers: Meeting the State’s Need for Safe, Smooth and Efficient Mobility.” (Read the full report here: http://www.tripnet.org/) The report finds that throughout Colorado, 41 percent of
major, locally and state-maintained urban roads are in poor condition and six
percent of Colorado’s locally and state-maintained bridges are structurally
deficient. The state’s major urban roads are becoming increasingly congested,
with drivers wasting significant amounts of time and fuel each year. And,
more than 2,400 people were killed in crashes on Colorado’s roads from 2011
to 2015. Consider these numbers: $6.8 billion.
Driving on deficient roads costs Colorado motorists a total of $6.8 billion
annually in the form of additional vehicle operating costs (VOC),
congestion-related delays and traffic crashes. Colorado Springs, $1,954; Denver,
$2,162; Northern Colorado, $1,396; Grand Junction, $1,264; and Pueblo,
$1,553. Drivers in the state’s largest urban areas incur annual
costs as a result of driving on deficient roads. TRIP has calculated the cost
to the average motorist in the state’s largest urban areas in the form of
additional VOC, congestion-related delays and traffic crashes. Colorado Springs, 35 hours;
Denver, 49 hours; Northern Colorado, 17 hours; Grand Junction, 11 hours;
Pueblo, 10 hours. Annual time wasted in congestion
for drivers in the state’s largest urban areas. Mounting congestion robs
drivers of time and fuel. 6%. Six
percent of Colorado’s bridges are structurally deficient, meaning they have
significant deterioration to the major components of the bridge. 41%. Forty-one
percent of Colorado’s major urban roads are in poor condition. Forty-three
percent are in mediocre or fair condition and the remaining 15 percent are in
good condition. TRIP Report In the News Thanks to FixItCO coalition members around the state, the
TRIP report was released regionally with the goal of garnering as much
attention as possible. Here’s what our coalition members are saying: Denver “Our transportation infrastructure is falling further and
further behind. If we want to continue to grow our economy, ensure our
quality of life, and create jobs, we must build and invest in a system that
provides mobility choices for everyone- from increased lanes to technology
solutions to bicycle and pedestrian options. Transportation is our top
priority and we urge lawmakers to join us in finding a long-term, sustainable
funding source for our infrastructure needs,” Kelly Brough, President and
CEO, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Colorado has experienced unprecedented growth in the last
20 years but the state lacks a reliable and sustainable long term funding
source to meet our resulting transportation infrastructure needs.
This report makes a direct connection between that lack of investment and the
impact to our pocketbooks. Now, more than ever, we need our
policymakers to identify a solution to address this challenge. The cost
to our businesses and our citizens of doing nothing is far too
extreme.” Bob Golden; President and Chief Executive Officer; South
Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. “Transportation is a priority for the
members of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. “Business leaders around our state see Colorado trailing
states such as Utah and Texas, two of our biggest competitors, on key
commerce and tourism opportunities due to outdated, unmaintained and
congested roadways. We can no longer kick this can down the road and this
report makes that connection in a very real way.” Jeff Wasden; President;
Colorado Business Roundtable “Investing in our transportation infrastructure is
absolutely critical to creating jobs and fostering a healthy economy.
Transportation is, without a doubt the number one priority for our
members.” Loren Furman; Senior Vice President of State and Federal
Affairs; Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry. Grand Junction “We at the Grand Junction Economic Partnership recognize
that a functioning transportation system has a direct correlation to economic
development. With its central location, and access to I-70 and US 50,
Colorado’s Grand Valley is a natural epicenter of connectivity, poised for
faster and less expensive transportation and distribution throughout the U.S.
and Canada. Our ability to remain competitive economically depends in
large part on the preservation of that system. The TRIP report calls
attention to the need to make transportation funding a policy priority so
that communities like ours can continue to thrive.” Kristi Pollard;
Executive Director, Grand Junction Economic Partnership “The condition of our transportation network in western
Colorado is a critically important contributor to our economic
vitality. Our needs may be different from the more urban areas of the
state, but no less significant. The findings of this report highlight
the need for our policymakers to make transportation funding a top priority
this year.” Christian Reece, Executive Director, Club 20 Colorado Springs “At its very core, transportation is about economic and
community development,” said Dirk Draper, President and CEO of the
Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and EDC. “Businesses need the
assurance of an efficient, effective, and reliable transportation system to
be confident they can accomplish their own work. We must act swiftly and
intentionally to ensure that the transportation system we depend on is
sound.” Southern Colorado “Ensuring our state adequately finances our transportation
infrastructure has consistently been a top priority for our organization of
22 southern Colorado counties and the industries who have a presence in the
region. This TRIP report underscores a need for us to remain steadfast
in that focus. We must not delay in identifying a long-term sustainable
transportation funding source to address our infrastructure needs.” Ivor
Hill, Chairman of the Board, Action 22 Northern Colorado "This report underscores that our state must act to
solve Colorado's transportation challenges," said David May,
President and CEO of the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce.
"Residents and businesses need a reliable, efficient transportation
system. Our economy depends on it, as does our basic quality of life. In
addition to commuter frustration, there are real costs associated with
congestion. We need to stop kicking the proverbial can down our deteriorating
roads." "Congestion costs the business community production
time and money and hits the consumer at the wallet. Along the Northern
Colorado corridor alone, the cost to the average driver is $381 annually in
wasted fuel and 17 hours lost in traffic,” added Rich Werner, President
and CEO of Upstate Colorado Economic Development. “Compound that with an
additional $440 in vehicle operating costs per motorist as a result of
driving on deteriorated roads in the Fort Collins-Greeley-Loveland area.” “This report highlights some of the challenges we see
every day in rural Colorado as it relates to our transportation system.
Our roads serve as connectors of our communities and the lifeblood of our
economy, in particular, as they support our energy development opportunities
and our industries who provide critical movement from farm to market in
northeastern Colorado, and the safe conditions of those roads are a top
priority for us. “ Cathy Shull, Executive Director, Progressive 15 Solving the Cube… In conjunction with the release of the TRIP report, FixItCO delivered FixItCO Rubics Cubes to state legislators along with highlights of the report.
And one legislator is working on "FixingItCO" Want to Help? Spread the
Message…
FixItCO is a coalition of
stakeholders from all four corners of Colorado and includes everyone from
truckers to environmentalists. Learn more by following @TeamFixItCO and use
the hashtag #FixItCO on Twitter.
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