I–70 Detour Act
Bill: H.R.7501 | Sponsor: Rep. Boebert, Lauren (R-CO)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
I-70 Detour Act
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to submit to Congress a report with recommendations for significant improvements and potential alternatives to offset extended closures associated with Interstate Route 70, including at least one alternative to improve the resilience of Interstate Route 70 and reduce risks from nearby hazards.
The report must include information regarding the cost and feasibility of each alternative or improvement described in the report.

To require the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on the 
significant improvements and potential alternatives necessary to offset 
 extended closures associated with Interstate Route 70, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``I-70 Detour Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Interstate Route 70 is the gateway to the Rocky 
        Mountains and a major east-west interstate highway that runs 
        through and connects 10 different states from Baltimore, 
        Maryland, to Cove Fort, Utah.
            (2) Because of natural hazards, Interstate Route 70 through 
        Glenwood experiences significant closures that last greater 
        than 1 week, three or four times a decade.
            (3) Substantial improvements to existing roads and possible 
        alternative routes should be studied and then funded in a 
        timely manner to ensure the continuation of commerce as well as 
        the safe movement of goods and people in the event that 
        Interstate Route 70 is shut down again in the future.
            (4) Closures of Interstate Route 70 are extremely costly, 
        with an economic impact estimated at $1 million per hour.
            (5) At this time, the local counties directly impacted by 
        these closures and some of the alternatives proposed in this 
        bill prefer for any county route or county road impacted by 
        this bill to remain under county control and not become a state 
        highway.

SEC. 3. ALTERNATIVES.

    (a) Report.--
            (1) In general.--As soon as practicable, but not later than 
        2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
        of Transportation shall submit to Congress a report with 
        recommendations for significant improvements and potential 
        alternatives necessary to offset extended closures associated 
        with Interstate Route 70, including--
                    (A) at least 1 alternative that includes the 
                possibility of improving Catherine's Store Road, as 
                proposed by Garfield County, Colorado;
                    (B) at least 1 alternative that includes the 
                possibility of improving the 6 spot locations to 
                existing roads, as proposed by Eagle County, Colorado;
                    (C) at least 1 alternative that includes the 
                possibility of improving an existing road down 
                Cottonwood Creek, as proposed by Eagle County 
                stakeholders and the Colorado Department of 
                Transportation;
                    (D) at least 1 alternative that includes the 
                possibility of improving Interstate Route 70 system 
                resilience and reducing risks from nearby hazards; and
                    (E) any other significant improvements and 
                alternatives proposed by Garfield County, Colorado, 
                Eagle County, Colorado, the Colorado Department of 
                Transportation, or the Secretary before the date of 
                enactment of this Act.
            (2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include information regarding the cost and feasibility of 
        each alternative or improvement described in such report.
    (b) Legislation.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the Secretary 
        submits the report to Congress under subsection (a), the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate shall produce legislation based on 
        the recommendations provided by the Secretary in such report.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--The legislation 
        produced under paragraph (1) shall include a provision to 
        authorize appropriations to carry out any activities authorized 
        in such legislation.
            (3) Consideration.--Not later than 60 days after producing 
        legislation under paragraph (1), the committees referred to in 
        such paragraph shall move to consider such legislation.
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