Routt County has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund for the county’s “Move U.S. 40 Forward: Safe Crossings, Healthy Commutes” project.

With a 25% local match, the grant will fund the development of a plan that determines the types of infrastructure needed to improve safety and mobility for the Heritage Park, Steamboat II and Silver Spur neighborhoods, including access to Sleeping Giant School and Steamboat Montessori.

“The zoning in this area reflects 1970’s planning and a lack of multi-modal transportation options. Safety improvements are long overdue,” said Routt County Commissioner Sonja Macys, in a statement. “The school district’s focus on affordable housing in this area presents a fresh opportunity to reimagine these neighborhoods through the lens of transit-oriented development.”

“Working with the neighborhoods, the city of Steamboat Springs, and the Steamboat Springs School District, we will finally create safer, more effective transportation solutions that will result in an improvement to the quality of life for residents, teachers and students,” Macys continued in a statement.

Once the comprehensive plan is completed, Routt County will pursue future grants that will fund the construction and implementation of the improvements.