Voters in Colorado last week approved a bond issue that will allow for the faster completion of many transportation projects, including the widening of Interstate 25 in the Denver area and north of Fort Collins.

Referendum A, which passed overwhelmingly, will accelerate high-priority road project by authorizing a bond issue pledged against future federal fuel tax revenues. Gov. Bill Owens says with the approval of the measure, road projects that would have taken 25 years will now be finished in 10 to 15.
In addition to the I-25 widening, projects that will be affected include the widening of U.S. 50 from Grand Junction to Delta, reconstruction of U.S. 160 over Wolf Creek Pass, interchange work in Pueblo, and reconstruction of U.S. 287 on the Eastern Plains.
Voters also approved funding for a light-rail project serving Denver's southern corridor, which officials hope will help ease congestion on the area's highways. The new railway will run along I-25 from Denver south to Douglas County and along a portion of I-225.