CDOT seeking financial info for I-70 Advanced Guideway System

As part of its Advanced Guideway System (AGS) Feasibility Study, the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Division of Transit and Rail (DTR) has issued a Request for Financial Information (RFFI) to interested private-sector concessionaires and other possible financial providers.

Earlier this year, CDOT determined that it was technically feasible for an AGS to effectively operate in the 120-mile segment of the I-70 Mountain Corridor from C-470 in Jefferson County to Eagle County Regional Airport. The RFFI will help determine whether or not the system is financially feasible.

Financial providers are being asked to provide input regarding funding and financing components including such items as project-generated revenues, public funding, financing capacity, structure and costs. This information will be key in analyzing the likelihood of raising the necessary capital for an AGS by 2025.

“Financial feasibility is the last piece in determining the overall feasibility of an AGS along the I-70 Mountain Corridor,” said CDOT’s DTR Director, Mark Imhoff. “Like partnering with private-sector technology providers helped us determine technical feasibility of an AGS, we look forward to private sector concessionaires and financial providers helping us determine whether or not Colorado can afford such a system.”

Three groups of feasible technology types have been identified: those that can operate exclusively in the I-70 right-of-way, those that operate outside the I-70 right-of-way and those that could do both. Representative alignments have been developed for each of the three technology categories. These alignments along with the performance characteristics of the technology types are being used to develop ridership projections and general cost assumptions for an AGS. CDOT has also been meeting regularly with the corridor communities to develop land use plans for potential station locations. A final determination on overall feasibility is expected in fall 2013.

Statements of Financial Information are due to CDOT by noon on June 28, 2013. The request can be viewed on the CDOT Procurement Website at http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/AGSstudy/request-for-financial-information. It is important to note that this is only a request for information and is not a procurement or pre-qualifier for ultimately delivering an AGS.

About CDOT’s AGS Feasibility Study:

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s Division of Transit and Rail is conducting the Advanced Guideway System (AGS) Feasibility Study to determine the feasibility of a high-speed transit system in Colorado’s I-70 Mountain Corridor. The $1.8 million study began in April 2012 and is expected to be completed in fall 2013. TYPSA|AZTEC and Jacobs Engineering are the lead consultants for the study that will evaluate technology, alignment and funding/financing options for a potential AGS in the 120-mile segment of corridor from C-470 in Jefferson County to Eagle County Regional Airport. This study is a critical next step identified in the Record of Decision for the I-70 Mountain Corridor Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. If the study finds an AGS in the I-70 Mountain Corridor is feasible, a more detailed environmental study would select a specific technology and alignment for the system before CDOT could begin implementation.