Amtrak route through Colorado Springs? Grant received to study the idea

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - The US Department of Transportation announced that it has received a grant to study the idea of bringing an Amtrak route to Colorado Springs.

Right now, the Southwest Chief route has three stops in Colorado on its journey from Los Angeles to Chicago. Those stops include Lamar, Trinidad and La Junta.

The $225,000 grant will be used to explore the idea of a spur line from La Junta to Pueblo and Colorado Springs.

Jill Gaebler with the City of Colorado Springs says the Amtrak route would be a huge help in relieving traffic issues on I-25.

"We know that I-25 cannot handle all of the travel along this corridor from really border to border. We need to figure out other modes to move people," Gaebler said.

Stick with KRDO for the latest on this developing story.