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For Immediate Release •
March 12, 2009
Staff Contact: Rigo Leal, Public Information Officer, 303-651-8840
View the most recent Press Releases.
MARCH 12, 2009 - The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is scheduled to make a FasTracks presentation to the City of Longmont's Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) and the Longmont City Council during a joint meeting on Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 350 Kimbark St. RTD will provide an update on the status of the commuter rail project in light of increased costs and reduced revenues for the FasTracks project. The regularly scheduled City Council Meeting for Tuesday, March 17 has been cancelled.
To view the video of this meeting, go to the City's video archive on the Web.
The Longmont City Council is also encouraging residents to contact RTD Board Members to express their views on bringing commuter rail to Longmont as outlined in the FasTracks proposal.
RTD is facing financial challenges as the transit agency strives to keep operations and projects on track during these sluggish economic times. RTD's FasTracks transit expansion program continues to be impacted by slumping sales tax revenues and escalating construction materials costs. This could mean the loss of rail service between Denver, Boulder and Longmont as promised in the original FasTracks proposal approved by voters in 2004.
RTD Board member are expected to make a decision on FasTracks and the extension to Longmont at their March 31 meeting. As RTD evaluates the options for moving forward with FasTracks, the Longmont City Council thinks it is very important for stakeholders to contact RTD board members before the 31st.
There are several options for contacting RTD:
· Submit a comment directly to RTD via the Web;
· Visit the FasTracks Web site for more information and other contact options;
· Board Members contact information can be found at the RTD home page (click on Board of Directors button on left of page)
Options for FasTracks
The 2008 FasTracks Annual Program Evaluation reflects the impacts to FasTracks due to unprecedented increases in the cost of construction materials, fuel, and sales tax revenues not keeping pace with projections. Click here for the presentation on FasTracks options.
As a result, RTD has adjusted its long-term revenue assumptions and cost escalation factors to adapt to the changing economic conditions. While the cost of delivering FasTracks has risen along with the current market trends, the RTD Board and RTD staff are committed to working with regional partners, communities and the public on solutions to these challenges to keep FasTracks moving forward.
If costs continue to increase at the rates now assumed and long-term revenues continue to remain in a slump, it is estimated that it could cost $7.9 billion to build the FasTracks plan by 2017.
To view two commuter rail videos from RTD, go to the City's Community Interest Videos Internet page.
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