State and federal agencies Thursday celebrated the completion of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor in Colorado with a grand opening of U.S. 40/287 through the town of Kit Carson.
“It is exciting to see the completion of the final Ports-to-Plains project in Colorado,” said Division Administrator for the Federal Highway Administration in Colorado, John Cater.
“This is a vital freight corridor which will provide long-term economic benefits for Colorado and all the state along the corridor.”
Colorado’s portion of the national Ports-to-Plains route consists of U.S. 287 from the Oklahoma border — including where it runs jointly with U.S. 40 between Limon and Kit Carson — to Denver.
As one of Colorado’s 28 Strategic Transportation Projects primarily funded by voter-approved bonds in 1999, its reconstruction was of primary importance as a major truck route, said officials.
It is considered a major connection to Mexico and will attract and serve markets associated with NAFTA and international trade, officials said.
The 200-mile reconstruction of the route was started more than 20 years ago. “Since the Ports-to-Plans route is considered crucial for national, state and local economic development, reconstructing the highway with wider shoulders throughout to accommodate commercial truck traffic was vital for improving safety,” said Colorado Department of Transporation Chief Engineer Tim Harris.
CDOT has reconstructed 24 segments of U.S. 40/287 between the Oklahoma border and Limon since 1991.
The current project, which began in October 2011, reconstructed 2.3 miles of highway with concrete through Kit Carson and west one mile. The $5.8 million project included new street lights, sidewalks, curbs and gutter and an improved storm water system, CDOT said.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907, mwhaley@denverpost.com or
