Staff is seeking Council feedback on submitting an authorization request for the Lone Tree Corridor project within the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization legislation.

In preparation for the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization legislation effort, the federal Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has asked its members to determine their policy priorities and collect project requests focused on highways and transit from their constituents.

To participate in this process, city staff recommends submitting an authorization request for the Lone Tree Corridor project to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Lone Tree Corridor project is seen as a competitive request for this opportunity as the project would improve important north-south arterial connectivity from Sawmill Road to J.W. Powell Boulevard by adding lanes for capacity, medians for safety, filling gaps in the pedestrian and bicycle systems, improving transit stops and shelters and adding new I-40 bridges. The corridor would also include conduit for fiber optic line, laying the necessary groundwork for high-speed communications for transportation facilities and public buildings, including schools.

Additionally, the Lone Tree Corridor project is recommended by staff for an authorization request in relation to upcoming surface transportation reauthorization legislation because the project is voter approved, it benefits a variety of community partners and funding is readily available for a local match. Additionally, federalization of this project would result in significant savings of local funding, which could then be used for other high priority transportation and infrastructure projects.

Please see presentation attached