Officials call for more Western Slope passenger rail planning

Officials seek more planning

Grand Junction and Eagle County officials are calling for additional planning for passenger rail on Colorado’s Western Slope. Their request puts passenger rail planning on the regional transportation agenda.

The development does not announce a new passenger rail line, a construction start or a service schedule. It reflects a push for more work on the possibility of passenger rail serving communities on the Western Slope.

Regional transportation issue

The request comes as a transportation issue involving Grand Junction and Eagle County. Passenger rail planning would concern how rail service could fit into the region’s broader transportation needs.

The officials’ position is focused on planning. Any future step would require additional decisions by the public bodies and agencies involved in transportation planning.

What comes next

The next stage is further discussion of passenger rail planning for the Western Slope. The officials’ call creates a point for regional transportation leaders to consider as they evaluate future planning priorities.

No passenger rail service, construction project or launch date is announced in the development.