The CEO of the Regional Transportation District speculated recently about whether a planned extension of the B Line to Boulder was necessary or desirable. The governor doesn't think the speculation was necessary or desirable.
"The Regional Transportation District is drawing up plans to kickstart its dormant Boulder and Longmont rail project," reports Nathaniel Minor.
The project would extend the B Line 41 miles from Denver to Boulder and Longmont, according to Minor. The B Line currently only reaches Westminster.
CEO and General Manager Debra Johnson announced the rebirth of the project at a special RTD board meeting this week, after Colorado Governor Jared Polis criticized RTDs lack of progress on the project after Johnson recently made comments questioning whether the project should move forward.
According to a separate article by John Aguilar, Gov. Polis spoke to the board meeting, saying that the projected completion date—20 years from now—is not "a legitimate date for discussion."
Now RTD is committed to delivering an accelerated plan for development in 60 days.
The B Line extension is a component of the 2004 FasTracks regional transit expansion plan, "which has resulted in a half-dozen new rail lines and a speedy bus line across the metro since then," according to Minor. Most recently, the N Line opened commuter rail service on a pandemic-subdued day in September 2020.
See also: Previous Planetizen coverage of the FasTracks program.
FULL STORY: After Polis’ Arm Twist, RTD Looks To Restart Boulder Rail Project
B Line Commuter Rail Extension Gets a Green Light in Colorado
The Board of Directors for the Regional Transportation District has given a preliminary green light to accelerate planning work on the B Line extension from Denver to Boulder and Longmont.
One Rail System to Ring the Bay Area? Supporters See Reasons for Optimism
A plan to integrate the various regional transit providers in the San Francisco Bay Area could be the key to winning back transit riders in the post-pandemic world.
Pandemic Casts a Shadow Over Today's Big Rail Line Opening in Denver
The N Line between Denver and its northern suburbs opens today to the public, but N Line trains are expected to carry far fewer passengers, and lower frequencies, than originally planned.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service