GDT > Western Rail Coalition
The Western Rail Coalition is a group of elected officials, industry leaders, transportation advocates and private citizens from the Rocky Mountain region who have come together to support the studying of expanded passenger rail in the I-70 Mountain Corridor west of the Front Range.
The Interstate 70 (I-70) Mountain corridor remains one of the largest and most visible transportation challenges faced by Coloradans today due to mountain towns and ski resorts being dependent on a highway that has been crammed in to the surrounding environment. The result is a road that is challenging to drive and one that suffers from frequent (at least once a month) closures due to accidents or bad weather.
Most mountain resident’s experience of rail in the corridor is that of noisy, dirty freight trains laboring up gradients that cause traffic congestion when they block grade crossings. Additionally concerns about what happens to hazardous cargo in the event of a derailment are common place. The coalition aims to articulate a vision of what a modern passenger rail alternative could look like and why it is a lot different to what residents may have been used to previously.
While Greater Denver Transit is providing support to the coalition, the effort is being spearheaded by local people who understand the area’s transportation issues.
Proposed Western Rail Map
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