U.S. representatives James Oberstar, Peter DeFazio, Bruce Braley and Ed Perlmutter received a welcome to the U.S. 36 corridor from the U.S. 36 Mayors and Commissioners Coalition (MCC) and a first-hand experience by bicycle of some of Boulder's award-winning transportation system on Thursday, Aug. 28. The Minnesota, Oregon, Iowa and Colorado congressmen took a break from Democratic National Convention activities to see how federal funding assisted in building Boulder's multi-modal transportation system and to understand the importance of funding the US 36 MCC's shared vision for an innovative, sustainable multimodal corridor.

The tour included a breakfast with the US 36 MCC, Colorado Department of Transportation and Regional Transportation District followed by a 10-mile bike ride that showcased current and planned improvements for U.S. Highway 36, as well as some of Boulder's infrastructure projects that have used federal funds. The congressmen, each of which will be involved in the effort to craft the next federal transportation bill, said they were impressed with the strong multi-modal vision of both the U.S. 36 project and Boulder's system

"These multi-modal projects are what we had in mind when we wrote the federal legislation," said congressman Oberstar, referring to the 28 th Street project that used federal and local funds to create new bike lanes, transit improvements, better sidewalks and operational improvements for cars using the busy corridor. "This is exactly what we wanted to see built." Congressman Oberstar remarked that it "is wonderful how you have coalesced. You validate on the front line what we do in Congress."

For more information on the bike tour, contact Martha Roskowski, GO Boulder program manager, at 303-441-3266. For more information on Boulder's bike and pedestrian system, visit www.goboulder.net. For more information on city Transportation Division projects, visit www.bouldertransportation.net and click on "Projects."