The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently awarded Denver’s Regional Transportation District a $149.9 million Capital Investment Grants program grant to build an 8.6-mile bus rapid transit line.
The $280.5 million East Colfax Avenue BRT would connect downtown Denver and the Colfax light rail station in Aurora, Colo.
“BRT routes have been transforming communities across the country with fast, frequent service along key economic corridors nationwide,” FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said. “We are pleased to add Denver to the growing list of communities benefiting from America’s largest-ever investment in high-quality public transportation.”
Each weekday, approximately 22,000 riders use the two current Colfax Avenue bus routes. The new line is expected to shorten each trip by 15 minutes by having buses arrive every four minutes.
The line also would include traffic lights that will automatically turn green for buses, and several miles of dedicated bus-only lanes.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is proud to help deliver Denver’s first bus rapid transit line, which will help riders between Denver and Aurora get where they’re going more quickly and reliably, saving riders about half an hour each day, while reducing traffic congestion and pollution,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
The Capital Investment Grants program helps communities with transformational transit projects.