Continuing Boulder’s Core Arterial Network is essential for transportation

Boulder Progressives strongly supports the city’s continued work on implementing the Core Arterial Network (CAN) initiative. We view this effort as essential to creating a safer, more equitable, and climate-resilient transportation system for all Boulder residents.

The CAN initiative is not only a practical safety measure; it is a bold statement about Boulder’s priorities. The initiative reflects our values of reducing traffic-related injuries and deaths, expanding transportation access for all users, and taking meaningful steps toward our climate goals. By redesigning key arterial corridors with protected bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, transit priority, and traffic-calming measures, CAN ensures that our most dangerous streets become safer and more comfortable for all modes of travel.

We especially support the city’s recent progress on: 

Baseline Road - Implementation of Phase 1 improvements and funding for Phase 2

Iris Avenue - City council support for the proposed conceptual design

30th Street - Implementation south of Arapahoe, and city council support for the proposed conceptual design north of Arapahoe

Folsom Street - Conceptual design recommendations provided by city staff

These projects, in various stages of planning or construction, are transforming high-speed, high-injury corridors into complete streets that serve all users. These projects exemplify how infrastructure investment can support equity, economic vitality, and climate action.

We urge Boulder’s city council to continue prioritizing funding and policy support for the full implementation of CAN, and integrating CAN principles into the upcoming update of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan.

A likely funding opportunity will be through the TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) grant opportunity next year. We encourage city council to have staff seek external funding through TIP to implement otherwise unfunded CAN improvements on Iris, 30th, and Folsom.

We thank city council for their leadership in building a city that puts safety, sustainability, and community well-being at the center of our transportation system.

Boulder Progressives Board