I-70 MACRO ECONOMICS

My name is Ed Rapp. My questions concern the macro economics of this proposed Federal action.

Question: Why has CDOT not presented the true and total costs of the proposed highway widening to the taxpayers of Colorado and the people of the I-70 corridor? From Chart 3.9-17 the reader is forced to interpolate costs through year 2025. The first cost is $2.2B for road construction in 2010. This construction induces a cone zone recession over 15 years that costs approximately $15B in Gross Regional Product in the nine county mountain region. Plus there is a local issue to provide more parking spaces to handle the additional cars. The $15B will cost the State several billion in lost taxes and revenues. The bill to the State is about $4.2 B in costs and lost revenue. Cost to the economics of the 9 county mountain region is about $15.2B.The major bill payers are Summit, Eagle and Grand Counties. The highway alternatives are all pain, no gain through the year 2028.

Question: Why have you hidden from public view the returns available to the State by an early deployment of the monorail CHSST or its equivalent? The FTA study shows a six year construction period for monorail that could begin as early as 2008. Since the major feature is constructed off line, the existing highway is not impaired during construction. The early deployment first costs are $ 6.6 B. The early deployment economic gain is approximately $55B between years 2014 and 2025.

Financing a $6.6 B investment that produces a $55B gain in the first 15 years and continue the return on investment for the system design life of 75 years is a no brainer. There is no affordability issue. The gain is measured in business success, employment, personal income, improved tax base, recreation days, improved travel times, and improved movement of people, goods and services and State revenues. This is already documented by the REMI model in the PEIS. And for those who still wish to drive, the road remains open but with 40,000 less cars on the passes and in the tunnel backups.

Question: Why would any rational decision maker involved in a Tier 1 transportation policy decision wish to inflict 20 years of pain costing $4.2B in direct cost and lost revenue and a $15B recession in Colorado recreation industry unless as a procurer for a powerful highway lobby?

Clear Creek County figured this all out seven years ago. Anyone want a bumper sticker? I-70 Monorail Now.