Notorious Ski Highway Gets Critical First Step on Road to Relief

Press Release

An amendment authored by Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) to designate I-70 from Denver to Salt Lake City as a Corridor of High Priority passed the House of Representatives today as part of a major transportation bill that funds the country's roads, bridges, and highways.

With this Congressional designation, I-70 will now be eligible for certain federal funding streams to help with maintenance and improvement on what is a notoriously congested highway, especially during peak ski travel times. High-priority corridors are given preferential consideration when applying for discretionary grant programs like the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) and newly established Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects, as well as financing opportunities, like those established under the Transportation Infrastructure and Financing Act (TIFIA).

"Anyone who has sat in traffic on a Sunday afternoon on I-70 East knows that highway is in need of major improvements," Polis said. "Traffic along I-70 has far outpaced our ability to expand and maintain it, and at this point Colorado can't do it alone. This designation will give expansion and maintenance projects along I-70 broader, more competitive access to federal funds -- which is a critical first step in tackling the highway's major challenges and improving quality of life, regional tourism, and national commerce."

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