County approves submission of BUILD grant for Brandon Circle/US 40 safety project

Routt County commissioners authorized staff on Jan. 28 to submit a BUILD grant application requesting $8,800,000 for a multi-component safety and active-transportation project at Brandon Circle on U.S. 40.

Tia, the county project lead, told the board the request—now filed under the BUILD name—seeks capital funds to design and construct a traffic signal, build an underpass, extend the core trail, add traffic calming measures, include lighting and signage, and produce safety education materials. Tia said the project team estimates the improvements could affect roughly 40,000 people annually and reduce traffic at the intersection by about 2,000 vehicles per day if the signal and trail extension are installed.

“Go for it. We are requesting your permission to submit our build grants. … It’s our request for $8,800,000,” Tia said during the presentation. County staff said the grant is competitive under updated BUILD criteria and is not a matched grant at this time; the county would not face an immediate local match requirement.

Staff noted the county coordinated with CDOT and the governor’s office on strategy, bundled certain regional projects for earlier RAISE consideration and provided letters of support for related projects in Hayden, Steamboat Springs and CDOT rail efforts. Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to submit the application and voted in favor by voice.

Staff asked commissioners to remain flexible to shifting federal timelines; one county official said submissions could be affected by a near-term federal grant freeze and urged filing as soon as practicable. County staff will continue to pursue alternative funding options if the BUILD application is not funded.

The board directed staff to continue outreach and to provide updates on grant status and related funding efforts.