WPBN: It is possible that a passenger train service that has been waiting for a very long time and will connect Denver to the northern mountains of Colorado could begin operating as early as late 2026, just in time for the ski season.
In order to provide a connection between Denver and Craig, the Colorado Mountain Rail project would travel via a number of mountain communities, including Winter Park, Steamboat Springs, and others.
Although there is still a lack of clarity on certain aspects of the project, such as station sites, ticket costs, travel times, and funding, the announcement of a significant deal with Union Pacific that was made last week has provided the project with new energy.
The deal makes it possible for trains to use the historic Moffat Tunnel, which is a passageway that spans 6.2 miles under the Continental Divide. This opens the door for the route to be economically viable. By the month of May, a definitive contract is anticipated.
On the other hand, the actual reality, which is the agony of crawling in traffic along Interstate 70, stands in stark contrast to the promise of a train for the people of Colorado.
“When everybody is all trying to drive at the same time, there is kind of a tragedy of the commons, right?” Paul DesRocher, director of transit and rail at the Colorado Department of Transportation stated.
On the other hand, there was a time when passengers did not have to make that compromise. Back in the day, the Yampa Valley Mail was responsible for transporting both passengers and mail.
However, the legacy of the service is currently on the verge of being revived after it was discontinued in 1968.
“This is essentially a reinvigoration of a historical rail line,” DesRocher stated.
“We have a very ambitious goal to initiate at least the first section of this project, from Denver Union Station to Granby, by the end of 2026 or 2027,” he stated.
Considering the slower pace of other rail projects in the state, this schedule is incredibly short in comparison to the other projects.
A concept that began over a decade ago with the projected Front Range train service between Fort Collins and Pueblo—which is still in the planning stages—would be realized with the construction of the rail line, which would be a component of a larger effort to extend passenger rail in the state of Colorado.
With this project, however, a significant portion of the laborious work has already been completed.
“I think the fact that we have this existing asset is really kind of an amazing opportunity for the state to capitalize on,” DesRocher stated.
Cicadas on the Move: Will Wisconsin Get Caught in the 2025 Swarm?
Amtrak’s California Zephyr, the Winter Park Express, and coal-carrying freight trains are all supported by portions of the line that are now in operation. Tim Hoover, Deputy Director of Communications at CDOT, said the line only needs to be upgraded to meet the needs of today’s passengers.
“Coal and freight don’t really care if it gets a little bit of a bumpy ride. People do,” Hoover stated. “Right now, the rail line is safe and all that, but it’s not quite up to snuff for modern passenger rail standards in terms of comfort and convenience.”
Carjacking Suspect Captured Following High-Speed Chase Across Illinois
The project’s main goal, according to DesRocher, is to provide Coloradans additional choices.
It appears that many people are willing to embrace this freedom. The Bustang network, which serves I-70 and other corridors, has seen a double-digit surge in ridership since the start of the pandemic, according to CDOT.
CDOT anticipates that the rail will benefit commuters in western Colorado, reduce traffic, and offer an inexpensive means of accessing the mountains. Despite the fact that financing is still pending, officials are hopeful that no tax hike would be necessary.
