The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) are working in partnership with government agencies, communities and the general public in the development and analysis of proposed improvements to US 50. FHWA and CDOT will prepare a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (Tier 1 EIS) for transportation improvements on US 50 between Pueblo and the vicinity of the Kansas State line in southeastern Colorado. This environmental study, known as the US 50 Corridor East project, will build on the 2003 CDOT corridor planning study. This planning study culminated in a community-developed vision for the corridor that called for a safer roadway, on or near the existing US 50 that maintains a reasonable traffic flow and speed for the movement of people and goods along and through the Lower Arkansas Valley while providing flexibility to accommodate future transportation needs.

During this Tier 1 EIS, the project team will evaluate alternative corridor locations for future improvements and the No-Action alternative (i.e. “no changes or improvements to the current highway alignment") based upon the project’s purpose and need. Alternatives will be developed and analyzed through an extensive agency and community outreach process. Anticipated decisions to be made during the Tier 1 EIS include:

1. Selection of a preferred general corridor location for US 50
2. Evaluation of access management and corridor preservation strategies
3. A plan for future improvements

Based on the decisions reached during the Tier 1 process, FHWA and CDOT may proceed with Tier 2 studies (i.e. further study (if needed), design and construction activities) for specific projects.

Process and Schedule
For more information about the Process and Schedule click here.

Project Map

Click here for map details: pdf format US 50 Regional View

Corridor Facts

• US 50 is a 3,200 mile transcontinental highway reaching westward from Ocean City, Maryland to San Francisco, California.
  
• From coast to coast, US 50 passes through a dozen states, four state capitols and the nation's capitol.
  
• Time magazine has dubbed US 50 coast to coast "The Backbone of America".
  
• The length of US 50 between Pueblo and the Kansas state line is 150 miles. This stretch of US 50 passes through southeastern Colorado's Pueblo, Otero, Bent, and Prowers counties.

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