The massive T-REX transportation project is still nine months from completion, but communities along the revamped highway corridors are already counting the reasons why they’re glad the work is nearly completed.
All 25 million reasons.
Five years after construction began on the $1.67 billion highway-transit project along Interstates 25 and 225, metro area communities and other agencies could reap up to $25 million in unspent T-REX contingency money to fund accoutrements along the project.
The money would be used for expanded walkways, parking lots, sidewalks and other items throughout the corridors. Already, $9.5 million of the contingency fund has been committed to various projects.
The prospect of $25 million spread across the corridor comes as a welcome relief for cash-strapped municipalities from Denver south to Doug las County.
“We’re not talking about fluff here,” said Greenwood Village Mayor Nancy Sharpe, who also heads the steering committee charged with gathering a proposed project list. “These are elements we think are essential to a finished product.”
T-REX, the state’s largest-ever highway and light-rail project, includes 19 miles of light rail, new stations and 17 miles of highway widening in Denver, Arapahoe and Douglas counties.
The use of contingency funds – which will happen in December at the earliest – is part of an agreement signed six years ago between the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation District.
As part of the deal, governments along the corridors gave $22.5 million to fund light-rail work and were told that leftover contingency funds would be considered to enhance those areas.
“Honestly, I never thought we’d be in a situation where we’d have a contingency left,” said Larry Warner, T-REX’s project director.
An early wish list
But before receiving any of the contingency money, the municipalities’ project list must first be approved to ensure the money is being spent on road or transit work near the corridor.
If it isn’t – and the surplus goes unused – CDOT and RTD would share the funds.
With T-REX’s completion in sight, south-suburban communities are debating how to leverage the expanded highway and transit system, and make it even more attractive to commuters and businesses. They see the contingency fund as a critical component.
“It’s all about making (the finished project) easier and more efficient to navigate,” said Hunter Sydnor, the transportation manager at the Southeast Business Partnership. “Any of these projects, large or small, will add something to the effect.”
For more than a year, mayors and county commissioners pressed T-REX officials to transfer the contingency money early, though it was never released because of the fund’s volatility. Contingency money is used to pay for unforeseen costs, such as price increases, land purchases and lawsuits, meaning it could dry up without warning.
Last year, the contingency was roughly $40 million.
Still, that hasn’t stopped the municipalities from creating an early list of possible improvements and reimbursements along the corridor to get a jumpstart on federal approval, knowing that some proposals might be dropped for lack of funds.
“Even if there’s only a small amount for us out there, that would be outstanding,” said Sharpe, the Greenwood Village mayor. “Every $500,000 that’s left in the contingency is $500,000 less that we have to spend on these projects.”
The list is growing.
Greenwood Village and Aurora want an extended pedestrian bridge across I-225 at the Dayton Station. Centennial wants sidewalks and retaining walls near a light-rail station. Arapahoe County wants an extended pedestrian bridge at the Dry Creek Station, additional parking areas and an improved interchange at Arapahoe Road and I-25 – as do Centennial and Greenwood Village.
In Douglas County, a request to improve the interchange at Lincoln Avenue and I-25 in Lone Tree also has been made.
Add to that automated “wayfinding” systems that would help commuters, and the final tab will likely exceed $10 million.
Municipal budgets thin
That tally doesn’t include $2.5 million already prioritized for Denver for a light-rail station improvement; $3.5 million for RTD for extended pedestrian access to Park Meadows mall from the County Line Station; and another $3.5 million for CDOT to build the Colorado Boulevard and Hampden Avenue bridges over I-25 in Denver.
More than $11 million in contingency money already has been spent on the two bridges.
“The goal … is to look at this from a regionwide perspective, because the region is what’s going to attract people,” said Jack O’Boyle, Lone Tree’s mayor. “This is our opportunity to do that.”
Statewide, money for transportation projects is expected to be scant this year as municipalities look to further trim budgets.
In Centennial, Southglenn Mall’s closure is projected to drop sales tax revenues $1 million this year, though road projects still remain.
“There are large public-works needs across the city, but we have to be careful with our money,” city spokeswoman Nancy Reubert said. “The (T-REX contingency) money couldn’t come at a better time.”
Staff writer Robert Sanchez can be reached at 303-820-1282 or rsanchez@denverpost.com.
