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Southwest Chief Thru-Car Alternatives Analysis

Long Train Ride
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THE PROJECT

The Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission partnered with the Colorado Department of Transportation to perform a study analyzing the feasibility of passenger rail service between Colorado Springs, Pueblo and the existing Amtrak Southwest Chief station at La Junta. 

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The reactivation of passenger rail service along this historic railroad alignment will provide national and regional transportation linkages and social and economic benefits to Colorado communities on the Front Range.

 

The extension of service will also benefit the financial viability of the Southwest Chief by adding significant ridership and revenue to the long-distance service, while supporting the incremental development of a new passenger rail network along the Front Range of Colorado from Pueblo to the south, to Denver and Fort Collins to the north.

Mountain nature

Project Goals

  • Understand potential environmental impacts of these investments (by completing pre-National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis and documentation)

  • Identify a preliminary Purpose and Need Statement to guide decision-making

  • Develop a preliminary range of alternatives in line with the Purpose and Need

  • Prepare for additional documentation that would be required for federal funding under NEPA.

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