Current Light Rail Map

http://www.jimwilliamson.net/misc/2007-07-02-denver-train-coors/denver-rtd-lightrail-map.gif

Current Facts

System size: 39mi
Usage >
Light Rail : 63,100
Bus : 212,100
Stations : 36


2025 Map


http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Denver-Planned-Transit-Network.jpg

Planned Union Station Expansion

http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Denver-Union-Station.png

http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Denver-Union-Station-Site-Plan.png

2020 Projections

System size >
Light Rail : 77mi
Commuter Rail : 82mi
BRT : 18mi

Usage >
Light Rail : 142,000
Commuter Rail : 58,000
BRT & Bus : 300,800

Stations

Light Rail : 56
Commuter Rail : 21
BRT : 7

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Denver_Light_Rail_Near_Union_Station.jpg/800px-Denver_Light_Rail_Near_Union_Station.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/25thWelton.JPG/712px-25thWelton.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/LittletonRTD.JPG/800px-LittletonRTD.JPG

I never understood why agencies would decide to build BRT as an extension of an existing LRT line, but whatever.

Nexis, do you think you can do Chicago next? There hasn't been a thread for their system that has stuck, which I think is a shame.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3990772251_51849e96bc_b.jpg
http://img.mailchimp.com/2008/07/15/237d81b037/KiplingGirders.jpg
http://www.inside-lane.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/DSCN3059-570x427.jpg
West Line Corridor under construction

http://www.inside-lane.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/East-Corridor-DIA-Train-Simulation-570x317.jpg
RTD simulation showing what the East Corridor electric powered commuter train would look like near DIA.

Nice thread!

Electric Commuter Rail to the Airport. Here in Toronto, we are building a freaking diesel commuter line usind refurbished RDC's. What a joke.

http://www.inside-lane.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Denver-Union-Station-Commuter-Platform-570x325.jpg
Rendering of Union Station

http://lrt.daxack.ca/Denver/hires18.jpg
Littleton-Mineral

http://lrt.daxack.ca/Denver/hires06.jpg
F Train at University of Denver

http://lrt.daxack.ca/Denver/hires34.jpg
H Train in median of I-225 departing Dayton

http://lrt.daxack.ca/Denver/hires24.jpg
Orchard Station

http://www.travelweekly.com/uploadedImages/TW_News/Destinations/USA/DenverAirportRedevelopment-render.jpg
Denver International Airport Terminal Expansion Rendering with Train Station underneath.

The union station expansion look very impressive, the trams remind me of Calgary's C-Trains.

I hope the airport link is the first part to be completed so you can get downtown.

The union station expansion look very impressive, the trams remind me of Calgary's C-Trains.

Yeah, right on the nail there. Denver's LRV fleet consists of Siemens SD-100 and SD 160 LRV's (Identical body, different types of motor.), while Calgary also operates the SD-160 as well.

How realistic is the CR plan? The Union Station renovation? I dont see it as being too likely.

How realistic is the CR plan? The Union Station renovation? I dont see it as being too likely.

Union Station is UC and the East and North CR are too , along with 2 LRT corridors.

How realistic is the CR plan? The Union Station renovation? I dont see it as being too likely.

It's already (partly) funded, with certain parts of the plan (West LRT) already under construction.

http://www.inside-lane.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/East-Corridor-DIA-Train-Simulation-570x317.jpg
RTD simulation showing what the East Corridor electric powered commuter train would look like near DIA.

Have they settled on rail stock yet? Would be awesome if they could use something resembling the Hong Kong Railway's trainsets:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Airport_Express_Train.jpg/800px-Airport_Express_Train.jpg

Are they seriously trying to build a CR thats electrified? Awesome. hopefully Amtrak can take advantage of that somehow, maybe high speed rail between Denver..and somewhere?

Are they seriously trying to build a CR thats electrified? Awesome. hopefully Amtrak can take advantage of that somehow, maybe high speed rail between Denver..and somewhere?

According to RTD's website they have indicated that the commuter rail is to be going to be electrified.

As for high speed rail well given Denver's location (with Salt Lake City being 533 miles away) inner city high speed rail does not seem to be a realistic possibility due to Denver's isolation.

How realistic is the CR plan? The Union Station renovation? I dont see it as being too likely.

Like FDW already said FasTracks is already funded with voter support with federal appropriations, private contributions, and a region-wide sales tax increase that went into place in 2005. That being said they did go over budget so the entire completion of the project may be delayed and full buildout may not take place until 2042 unless voters increase the current sales tax.

http://images.nycsubway.org/i91000/img_91116.jpg
Southmoor (E/F/H)

http://images.nycsubway.org/i91000/img_91203.jpg
Convention Center/Performing Arts (D/F/H)

http://images.nycsubway.org/i91000/img_91083.jpg
Englewood (C/D)

http://images.nycsubway.org/i91000/img_91176.jpg
Louisiana/Pearl (E/F/H)

http://images.nycsubway.org/i91000/img_91184.jpg
University of Denver (E/F/H)

http://images.nycsubway.org/i91000/img_91165.jpg
Orchard (E/F/G)

Photos courtesy of http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?91165

TmTfXLjc1p0

http://denverinfill.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-30_rtd.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/CML_Girder_Set_8-10.jpg
West Line Construction

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/March_across_Hazel_Ct_Bridge_9-29-10.jpg
Grand opening of a pedestrian bridge that crosses the light rai tracks.

More progress on the RTD West Line which is scheduled to open in 2013.

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/03-01-11_004.jpg

http://ra.nilenet.com/~wlg/Rocky/pictures/Chip174.jpg

February 2011 Construction Progress Presentation (http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/media/uploads/wc/EO_Construction_Presentation_2-11-11.pdf)

RTD to try out recycled-plastic railroad ties on West light-rail line
By Jeffrey Leib
The Denver Post
Posted: 03/01/2011 01:00:00 AM MSTUpdated: 03/01/2011 02:24:23 PM MST
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_17506851

RTD is dropping a little bit of "green" into 12 miles of gray on its $710 million West Corridor light-rail line.

The Regional Transportation District is using about 40,000 concrete railroad ties on the train line that will serve Lakewood and Golden from downtown Denver.

The transit agency also is putting about 200 ties made from recycled plastic in the area of the track bed immediately before and after bridges on the West line.

Ties are the crosspieces on which steel track is fastened to make the rail right of way.

Historically, ties were made from wood treated to withstand weather deterioration. More recently, concrete ties have become a strong competitor to wood for the rail industry, in both its freight and transit segments.

For the West Corridor line, which is due to open for passenger service in 2013, the Denver Transit Construction Group is installing six plastic railroad ties at the ends of bridges where the track transitions from being supported by the span's structure itself or a 25-foot-long concrete "transition slab" that extends from the bridge end, said DTCG Track Superintendent Mike Spalding.

The more flexible recycled plastic ties are being installed where the track will sit on rock ballast and compacted soil beneath the ballast, he said.

There can be a tendency for the soil at approaches to bridges to settle a bit in the area just before the track encounters the transition slab or the bridge structure itself, said Cal Shankster, who oversees track, overhead power and signal system maintenance for RTD's rail operations.

The transit agency is using 10-foot-long plastic railroad ties — longer than the project's standard 8-foot, 3-inch-long concrete tie — to determine whether the longer crossties made from the more flexible recycled material will help "spread the weight and cause less compaction, less settling" in the critical locations at the ends of bridges, Shankster said.

The limited installation of plastic railroad ties on the West rail line offers a chance to assess whether they will perform as well as wood at the transition points just off the elevated structures, said Jim Starling, RTD's manager on the light-rail construction project.

"If there is an opportunity to look at a sustainable material and evaluate how the composite (recycled plastic) ties perform, RTD is interested," he said.

New Jersey-based Axion International makes the plastic ties that RTD is using, and Axion president Steve Silverman said that "the total installed cost of our ties are competitive with concrete."

His company recently signed a deal to deliver 50,000 ties to a major freight railroad, Silverman said.

According to the plastics division of the American Chemistry Council, "the railroad ties market is huge since each tie requires 200 pounds of plastic — equaling 1,200 bottles."

As many as 20 million railroad ties are replaced each year, according to industry estimates.

Jeffrey Leib: 303-954-1645 or jleib@denverpost.com ..

The Denver system is eccentric, highly politicized- many governments have had to dealt with- each with their own deep pocketed interests. This is what has been happening throughout the US in the last 20 years, but unlike many metro areas, Denver is going to have a SYSTEM, not a line or two.

You can bet the pieces will not fit well together, because each addition reflects the politics that have gone on before. At each point in the growth of the system, from the starter line and its low platforms with high level trains caused by the fears of downtown businesses about how high level platforms might block store front access, to developers downtown and what they wanted.

I suspect that those overseas who see US transit are stunned by how such an 'advanced country' can make such weird, but charming, transit systems. Visitors from abroad likely have no idea how complex getting anything done in US metro areas actually is.

But, Denver is doing it.. and that is good.

DIA, developers want more stations on RTD east rail line
By Jeffrey Leib
The Denver Post
Posted: 04/17/2011 01:00:00 AM MDTUpdated: 04/17/2011 10:05:38 AM MDT
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_17865741?source=rss_igoogle

RTD's plan to use a single track for a 4.5-mile segment of the train line to Denver International Airport may make it prohibitively expensive to add one or two additional rail stations in the Peña Boulevard corridor of the rail line.

Private developers who own land adjacent to the train route have long hoped to add stations near East 62nd Avenue and Peña, and East 72nd Avenue and Himalaya Road, as a way to help promote development in the corridor.

An environmental study that examined costs, station locations, travel times and more for the airport train settled on a route that did not include any additional stations between DIA's terminal and the station planned for East 40th Avenue and Airport Boulevard, near the south end of Peña Boulevard.

But the study assumed that the entire 24-mile train line would be double-tracked, and it allowed for DIA and developers to add passenger platforms at 62nd/Peña and 72nd/Himalaya if the additional stations did not interfere with operations of the airport train, and if DIA and developers would bear that cost of adding them.

Double-tracking the entire line would have made it easier to add stations, but RTD selected a private consortium to build the DIA train line, and to save money, that group included single-track segments in its winning bid, including a stretch along Peña Boulevard and the rail bridge over Interstate 70.

In an update on the DIA train, RTD officials said the 4.5-mile stretch of the rail line north of its intersection with 56th Avenue, which now is slated to be single-tracked, would need to be upgraded to double track if both the 62nd and 72nd avenue stations are to be added.

To add only one of the stations, about 5,600 feet of single track north of 56th must get the upgrade, they said.

Rail experts say it can cost an additional $15 million a mile, or even more, to go from a single-track to double-track operation, with the final price dependent on how many bridge structures must be constructed on the rail line.

Double-tracking the 5,600-foot segment of the line would require at least the addition, or widening, of two bridge structures, one at 56th Avenue, and another at the train line's crossing of First Creek, said RTD spokesman Kevin Flynn.

The $1.1 billion DIA train line is due to open by 2016 and RTD says current plans call for the nearly 24-mile trip to take 35 minutes.

It will add two minutes to the trip for each station that might be added, RTD engineer Greg Straight recently told agency board members.

DIA officials and developers said they need to know soon what it will cost them to add the new stations.

In an April 9 letter to RTD general manager Phil Washington, DIA manager Kim Day said, "We have been provided no official information" by RTD on the cost of adding one or two stations, or for other "betterments" that the airport may wish to make to the train line.

"To not have a station or two is not in the best economic interest of the region," Day said in a recent interview about DIA's hope for more rail stops in the Peña Boulevard corridor.

Gardiner Hammond, vice president of LNR Property LLC, which is developing the 1,600-acre High Point Business District near Peña and Tower Road, said he too is frustrated by the lack of data from RTD on the cost of putting in the additional stations.

The proposed station near 72nd and Himalaya would serve the High Point development. "A transit stop in this important economic development zone just outside DIA makes perfect sense," Hammond said. He also noted that "the time left for planning and executing" the station addition "has become minimal and jeopardizes the ability to see a station in this area at all."

On Friday, Washington said RTD encourages developers to incorporate their plans — including additional stations — in the design of the East Corridor train line.

But he added that when the winning private team came in with a bid for FasTracks projects, including the DIA train, that saved RTD $305 million — in part from single-tracking portions of the airport line — it "permitted us to invest the savings into starting work on six other FasTracks corridor projects that are not fully funded."

To suggestions that RTD should have reserved some of those savings to help get the additional stations built, Washington said, "We can't fund third-party requests at the expense of unfunded corridors."

He added that RTD is on an established timetable to deliver information on the cost of adding stations to DIA and developers by the end of this month.

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2011/0417/20110417_100451_cd17dia_train.jpg
..

Someone has done one of those fancy flyover videos on the West Corridor Project (see post #19 for photos)

Kkh_Ymf6d1k

SO they are single tracking on the west corridor for a couple bridges as well? How long are the single track sections?

Looking at the map it seems like the entire West Corridor is going to be double tracked except for the alignment along US 6.

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/media/uploads/wc/Aerial_Map_WCpdf.pdf

Someone has done one of those fancy flyover videos on the West Corridor Project (see post #19 for photos)

Kkh_Ymf6d1k

Thanks! The scale is really impressive, considering the whole thing is being built at once. And that it is only one line in the master plan. Good to see how they are shoe-horning the CML in with all of the ROA's around the Colfax cluster.

Also, for anyone who is interested:
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_18125049

Some renderings of the East Line and the EMU's that will be used on the East Line and Gold Line.

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/images/1-Image-1.jpg

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/images/2-Image-2.jpg

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/images/3-Image-3.jpg

Renderings courtesy of http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/

Some renderings of the East Line and the EMU's that will be used on the East Line and Gold Line.

What kind of headways are expected for the airport line?

What kind of headways are expected for the airport line?

I could not find anything on their website, but I am guessing the frequency will be similar to SEPTA's Airport Commuter Rail Line in Philadelphia since they both share the same setup, so probably every 30 minutes.

Some recent construction photos of RTD's West Light Rail Line.

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/DSCN1136.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Web_21.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Web_45.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Perry_Street_Station_71311.gif

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Perry_Street_Station_71311.gif

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Web_6.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Red_Rocks_Station.jpg

Some renderings of the East Line and the EMU's that will be used on the East Line and Gold Line.

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/images/1-Image-1.jpg

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/images/2-Image-2.jpg

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/images/3-Image-3.jpg

Renderings courtesy of http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/


Oh for crying out loud, a brand new line and they use rolling stock as uninspiring as that? They really could do better than that, a lot of a metro system's appeal can lie in the aesthetics of the vehicles and stations along the route...

Oh for crying out loud, a brand new line and they use rolling stock as uninspiring as that? They really could do better than that, a lot of a metro system's appeal can lie in the aesthetics of the vehicles and stations along the route...

I am happy that they are just building this, period. :cheers:

I am happy that they are just building this, period. :cheers:

True, I am probably acting out a little, it's good to see *something* at least ;)

Oh for crying out loud, a brand new line and they use rolling stock as uninspiring as that? They really could do better than that, a lot of a metro system's appeal can lie in the aesthetics of the vehicles and stations along the route...

nothing too surprising unfortunately; Denver has never gone for good looking rolling stock, although I am really glad to see new EMUs in any capacity in this country.

http://maps.google.com/?ll=39.725705,-105.094163&spn=0.000564,0.000862&t=k&z=20

nothing too surprising unfortunately; Denver has never gone for good looking rolling stock, although I am really glad to see new EMUs in any capacity in this country.

Could it be the FRA regulations that prohibit RTD from buying seeker looking trains like those in Europe and East Asia?

DenverUrbanism (http://denverurbanism.com/2011/06/commuter-rail-car-display.html)


Commuter Rail Car Display

Posted by Ryan Mulligan on June 15, 2011

As FasTracks’ first commuter rail corridor gets ready to come out of the ground, its appropriate to take a more in-depth look at the railcar that will be moving us to and from destinations along across the mega project’s northern reaches. RTD and Denver Transit Partners (DTP, RTD’s Eagle Project Concessionaire team) have assembled a mock-up of the electric multiple unit (EMU) that will ferry passengers and displayed it outside the Wynkoop Street doors at Union Station.

The mock-up shows the front 1/3 of a rail car. These rail cars are made by Hyundai Rotem USA – they have produced more than 15,000 electric and diesel railcars. These cars meet Buy America requirements with more than 60% of the vehicle made in America. The cars will be assembled in Philadelphia and then shipped to Denver once they are completed. These are the same model of cars that the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia has ordered as well.


A few quick facts on the vehicle:
•Powered by 25kV AC overheard electrical system
•Top operating speed of 79 mph
•Room for 90 seats, 140 standing
•Will operate in “married pairs” – two cars traveling together; married pairs are more cost-effective to use and do not require operating cabs on either end of the car
•RTD will purchase 50 vehicles (at about $4 million each) to operate on all commuter rail corridors

This RTD mockup will be on display through June 18 between 8am-6pm every day. Get down there and take a look if you have a chance!


photos:

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011_06_15_EMUMockup01.jpg

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011_06_15_EMUmockup02.jpg

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011_06_15_EMUMockup05.jpg

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011_06_15_EMUMockup031.jpg

DenverUrbanism (http://denverurbanism.com/2011/07/light-rail-closures.html)


Light Rail Closures

Posted by Ryan Mulligan on July 19, 2011

Major news concerning those who ride light rail regularly downtown (especially those heading to Rockies games!).

RTD will be temporarily closing C & E line light rail service for the next month between the 10/Osage Station and Denver Union Station starting THIS SATURDAY, July 23. These closures will be in place until Sunday, August 14. There will be some major changes once rail operations return to normal in mid-August.

First, a new Auraria West station will open on the west side of 5th Street replacing the station on the east side that opened originally with the Central Platte Valley (CPV) Spur in 2002. This relocation was necessary to allow West Corridor trains to access Denver Union Station. It’s a move of only a few hundred feet and 5th Street is a quiet street, so it shouldn’t be a big deal to those using the station to access the Auraria Campus.

Secondly, the new light rail and mall shuttle stations at Denver Union Station will open in mid-August, serving as the first major components of the $500 million project to be open to the public. The new station is located just north and east of the Millennium Bridge along the Consolidated Mainline (CML) tracks on the 17th Street alignment. The mall shuttle turn around will be located at the southwestern end of the new light rail platform. Both of these stations will open on August 14. Below are some pictures I snagged a few weeks back on a construction tour. More info on all of the construction at Denver Union Station can be found in Rick’s posts at the DenverInfill Blog – he’s done a great job keeping us all up to date on what’s been going on down there.

Obviously, this acts as a major pain for those trying to access LODO, Coors Field, and the Auraria Campus. Riders have a few options to access those areas. For those electing to take a train, take D, F, or H line light rail to 16th/California and grab a mall shuttle to get around downtown. For those heading to the Auraria Campus, jump off at the Colfax at Auraria Station and backtrack across campus. For those who want to ride the bus, RTD will be operating bus service to all closed stations in both directions from 10/Osage and Denver Union Station. The stations will be closed, but you can still access those areas. The map below shows RTD’s plan for the bus bridge between these two stations. More information about the closure and bus bridge operations can be found on RTD’s website (http://denverurbanism.com/www.-rtd-denver.com).

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011_07_18_DUS_LightRailStation01.jpg

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011_07_18_DUS_LightRailStation02.jpg

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011_07_18_DUS_LightRailStation03.jpg

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011_07_18_DUS_LightRailStation04.jpg

Could it be the FRA regulations that prohibit RTD from buying seeker looking trains like those in Europe and East Asia?

Maybe no one is currently making a model that would meet some FRA bs regulation, but on a large order for new vehicles doing a sleeker nose would not have made much difference in price, but would have made all the difference in the world in terms of appearance. At least they look a little better than the new EMUs in Philly, even if its still worlds behind Europe, Asia and most of the LRVs in this country.

Some progress on the West Line:

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/road_3_LR.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/P1030427.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Bridge_1_LR.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/DSCN0635.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/DSCN0637.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Jeffco_Center_Entrance_71911.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Web_18.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Web_17.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Garrison_At_Grade_Xing.jpg

Photos courtesy of RTD (http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/wc_35).

OKbqq79R7d0

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Union Station progress

http://www.jobsitevisitor.com/imgView.asp?/=10F47AC9-96AA-4605-882A-F10423A34AD0&p=large

http://www.jobsitevisitor.com/imgView.asp?/=E6EBF3F0-6DB0-4D60-9E0C-CE994905040C&p=large

http://www.jobsitevisitor.com/imgView.asp?/=00441DEC-EAE8-4EF1-98D9-2405C919A461&p=large

http://www.jobsitevisitor.com/imgView.asp?/=8C01ED43-DCFE-4981-895C-81D404D52ED3&p=large

I was so excited to read about the FasTracks development before, and it seems like it's progressing well. I never really think of Denver as being a very dense and urbanized city, and I know that they have issues with slow development of the downtown core, but it's encouraging to see that they're trying to make the metro area a little less car-dependant. The line connecting Union Station with the airport seems like a particularly smart move.

I was so excited to read about the FasTracks development before, and it seems like it's progressing well. I never really think of Denver as being a very dense and urbanized city, and I know that they have issues with slow development of the downtown core, but it's encouraging to see that they're trying to make the metro area a little less car-dependant. The line connecting Union Station with the airport seems like a particularly smart move.

Actually Denver's downtown is pretty thriving with the LoDo district being a popular nightlife spot, in addition to new residential lofts/condos being built.

Is there a light rail option to Avalanche game or Rockies game? From Denver airport?

Actually Denver's downtown is pretty thriving with the LoDo district being a popular nightlife spot, in addition to new residential lofts/condos being built.

I meant more the fact that there are numerous lots that are used for parking because the owners of them keep looking for a big project to invest in them instead of taking a more realistic approach so that there doesn't end up being a sort of checkerboard of skyscrapers and parking lots. I am aware that they've had a couple of new buildings go up the past decade or so, and that a few more are on the drawing board, and that's great:).

Is there a light rail option to Avalanche game or Rockies game? From Denver airport?

The C and E Lines serves both the Pepsi Center (where the Denver Nuggets and the Avalanche play) from Pepsi Center/Elitch Gardens and Coors Field from Union Station.

Now regarding service to the airport currently they are building a commuter line from the airport to Union Station as part of Fastracks which is scheduled to open in 2016. For now there is a dedicated bus service known as SkyRide which connects the airport with Downtown, Boulder, and a few other places.

Sky Ride (http://www.rtd-denver.com/skyRide_SubHome.shtml)

Good updates

a couple of new buildings go up the past decade or so

which Denver are you talking about?

which Denver are you talking about?

Which Denver are you talking about?

Even with the recession there are still construction projects being built in downtown including Two Tabor Center and 1501 Tremont Place. This does not even include the Four Seasons hotel which was just recently completed last year.

^^ I was under the assumption that the poster was downplaying the amount of development in downtown Denver over recent years. I guess the meaning of my comment was lost or ambiguous. Denver downtown has way more going on than other cities in the Rockies, such as Phoenix or Albuquerque.

^^ I was under the assumption that the poster was downplaying the amount of development in downtown Denver over recent years. I guess the meaning of my comment was lost or ambiguous. Denver downtown has way more going on than other cities in the Rockies, such as Phoenix or Albuquerque.

Disregard my previous comment then. :cheers:

In answer to some questions, the train to the airport will be a Hyundai-Rotem EMU, a new design just going into service now in Philadelphia (Silverliner V). The reason it looks like a dog is because Federal regulations from the 1940s stipulate that US railcars must be built like tanks. RTD chose this model over a competing proposal from Siemens in part because the Siemens train had not yet been designed and Denver did not want the design risk. Its more complicated than that but that was part of it.

The airport line will have 15 minute headways from 04:00 to 00:00 and then 30 minute headways from 0001-0200. It will take 30 minutes from the terminal to Denver Union Station. The Airport station is being designed by Santiago Calatrava and a new airport hotel is also part of that project (scheduled for completion by 2014).

Denver Union Station is about 45% complete, the new Light Rail station opens tomorrow, 8/15/11.

Some construction photos of the west line.

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Kipling_Bridge.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Sheridan_Station_91311_1.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Federal_Center_Light_Rail_Station_81611_2.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Garrison_TPSS_62111.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Ballast_Along_6th_Bridge_7511.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Red_Rocks_Station_81611_1.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Garrison_Station_8911_2.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Indiana_Bridge_61511.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Independence_East_82311.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Colfax_Bridge_71311_2.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Harlan_Track_Crossing_82311_1.jpg

Glitches put RTD "smart" farecard system nine months off schedule
By Jeffrey Leib
The Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18920523
Posted: 09/18/2011 12:46:44 AM MDT
Updated: 09/18/2011 12:27:12 PM MDT

Technical glitches have put RTD's $15.3 million plan to move to a "smart" farecard system at least nine months behind schedule, prompting agency directors to demand a review of what went wrong with the program.

"We have experienced some technical challenges," Regional Transportation District bus operations chief Bruce Abel told the board of directors last week as he detailed how a smartcard pilot program that was to begin in May is now scheduled to start in February.

"This is a highly dissatisfying result; it cries out for (a) lessons learned (review)," said director John Tayer at the board meeting.

The failure to date of the ballyhooed smartcard system comes at a bad time for RTD. The agency is preparing a massive January reduction in transit service aimed at saving $12 million a year, and planning to promote a ballot measure for November 2012 that will ask voters to double the current 0.4 percent FasTracks sales tax so the transit expansion program can be completed.

For a number of years, RTD officials have been touting the move to smartcards as a way to get accurate ridership information and assist the agency in pricing its transit services properly.

In early 2010, RTD selected ACS Transport Solutions to install smartcard readers on the transit agency's 1,100 buses and light-rail platforms, as well as provide the communications devices needed to link buses and platforms with bus garages and central processing centers.

The contract called for a smartcard pilot program to be well underway during the second half of this year, with installation of smartcard readers initially on about 50 buses in the Boulder area in May, then on about 350 buses in June and July, and finally for readers and related equipment to be on RTD's entire fleet of 1,100 buses by the end of this year.

On Friday, Abel said RTD now is in the process of installing the smartcard hardware on nine buses initially — one from each of its fleet types — and agency officials will work with ACS to see if the new equipment on these test vehicles communicates properly.

In May, RTD determined that the smartcard equipment failed to communicate as designed during "factory acceptance" testing at ACS.

RTD planned to initially test the smartcards with users of its Eco Pass program, but documents presented to the board last week said "tests performed in August failed and ACS is addressing the issue."

Abel said RTD so far has paid ACS $2 million of the total $15.3 million contract price for the smartcard system.

"My expectation is that ACS will resolve these issues and see this through to a successful launch of a product that we're proud to offer our customers," he said.

In a statement issued Friday, ACS said, "We have identified the issues that caused the delays and outlined a solution to bring this complex project to a successful completion at no additional cost to RTD or its riders."

A new tentative schedule for the introduction of smartcards calls for RTD and ACS to test them on about 45 buses and two rail platforms in February, with an expansion to 350 buses and all platforms in April.

When RTD directors were briefed last week on the smartcard program delay, some were not mollified by assurances that all would be rectified.

"Mr. Washington, this is a black eye, a direct reflection on you and the performance you demand from your contractors," board chairman Lee Kemp told RTD general manager Phil Washington.

In an interview on Friday, Washington acknowledged, "I do pride myself in being on schedule" with RTD projects. But he noted that a smartcard program, once in place fully, will touch nearly every transit rider on every boarding, so it is important to make sure the technology works before it is introduced.

"If being concerned about how this project impacts the public and our drivers is a bad spot on my record, I can accept that as long as we are not negatively impacting our passengers," Washington said.

Jeffrey Leib: 303-954-1645 or jleib@denverpost.com..

Feds announce funding for Denver rail lines
By CATHERINE TSAI Associated Press
Posted: 08/31/2011 06:46:20 AM MDT
Updated: 08/31/2011 09:57:19 PM MDT
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_18794967

ARVADA, Colo.—U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed an agreement Wednesday committing $1.03 billion in federal funds for two planned light rail lines in Denver.
One line will link downtown to Denver International Airport. The other will link downtown to the northwest suburbs of Arvada and Wheat Ridge. Both lines are scheduled to be ready for service in 2016.

The signing came the same day President Barack Obama made a push for spending on transportation projects as a way to keep construction employees at work. A jobs plan that he hopes to reveal to Congress next week is expected to include proposals for infrastructure spending.

The $1.03 billion award is the last piece of funding needed for the $2.1 billion Eagle P3 project, which includes both light rail lines and is one piece of the Regional Transportation District's multibillion-dollar FasTracks program to expand transit in the Denver area.

Local sales tax revenues and private-sector funding are paying for the rest of Eagle P3. LaHood said the regional collaboration and mix of local, federal and private support for the project were to be celebrated.

"The project we are funding will be a model for the country and maybe for the world," LaHood said.

RTD has estimated Eagle P3 will create about 4,700 construction-related jobs. LaHood said small businesses also will pop up along the rail routes and keep train operators and maintenance workers employed.

The line to Denver's airport could reduce travel times there by half, or around 35 to 45 minutes, Federal Transit Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff said. "That's the difference between having dinner with your family or not," he said. It also will keep more of people's paychecks in their pockets instead of at gas pumps, he said.

The contractor Denver Transit Partners is financing and building the two lines, which RTD will own. RTD will pay the contractor to operate and maintain the lines over 29 years.

Overall costs for FasTracks are estimated at about $6.8 billion, or about $2 billion more than what was presented to voters in 2004. RTD officials have blamed the increase in part on rising costs for material, labor and rights of way, and some changes in project plans. Meanwhile, sales tax revenues to support FasTracks have been lower than expected.

The district's board has decided to wait until at least 2012 to ask voters in the eight-county district to approve a sales tax increase to help fund FasTracks. However, district officials have said a tax increase will be needed soon if FasTracks is to be completed by 2020. Otherwise, the district has said, it won't be fully completed until 2042.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said he would be among those asking taxpayers to step up sooner rather than later because of FasTracks' potential to improve regional transportation and spur economic development along train routes for decades to come.

"We are touching generations we will never meet," he said. ..

Some updates on the Denver Union Station Project.

http://archives.earthcam.com/archives5/ecnetwork/us/co/denver_union_station_mpr/archive1/2012/01/21/1300.jpg

http://archives.earthcam.com/archives5/ecnetwork/us/co/denver_union_station_mpr/archive3/2012/01/21/1230.jpg

http://archives.earthcam.com/archives5/ecnetwork/us/co/denver_union_station_mpr/archive4/2012/01/21/1245.jpg

http://ww1.jobsitevisitor.com/imgView.asp?/=162B9169-95DC-45B5-820A-5E9ED61C27DE&p=large

Photos courtesy of SnyderBlock (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=142526&page=27)

Since the West Corridor line was reduced from a double track to a single track operation from west of the Federal Center Station to the end of the line at the Jefferson County Government Center due to budget cuts, do some portions of the line between the aforementioned stations have to be rebuilt all over again if the portion were ever increased to double track in the distant future? (An example is a bridge over the US Route 6/ Indiana Street interchange.)

^^ I was under the assumption that the poster was downplaying the amount of development in downtown Denver over recent years. I guess the meaning of my comment was lost or ambiguous. Denver downtown has way more going on than other cities in the Rockies, such as Phoenix or Albuquerque.

I wasn't trying to imply that Denver's been dead, just that if you look at even recent pictures of downtown, there are a lot of parking lots seemingly in the middle of the city. I know that there's been a good deal of construction, it just seems like a lot more could be done, assuming that there's the demand of course.

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/5404288/

Hi all, I just was reading on airliners.net and saw this thread on the expansion plans of Denver's International Airport, DIA. Airport code DEN

I've actually seen some earthmoving going on in preparation for this new train station!

The Union Tunnel on the West Rail Line

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Union_Tunnel_41312_3.jpg
source: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/gallery.php?category=149&section=wc

JeffCo Government Center station

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Jeffco_Station_w-_Catenary_3512_1.jpg
source: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/gallery.php?category=140&section=wc

Red Rocks Community College station

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Red_Rocks_Station_3512_3.jpg
source: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/gallery.php?category=139&section=wc

Wadsworth station

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Wads_Area_4612_2.jpg

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Wadsworth_Station_42012_3.gif
source: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/gallery.php?category=135&section=wc

Decatur/Federal station

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/images/uploads/wc/Decatur-Federal_Area_3512_25.jpg
source: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/gallery.php?category=126&section=wc

Opening of the light rail plaza at Union Station. Coconut the Clown was there.

source: Denver Post (http://yourhub.denverpost.com/denver/light-rail-plaza-at-union-station-grand-opening/DG73C7gElDepaXsAUMvTAK-gallery#14)

http://yourhub.denverpost.com/rf/image_lowres/YourHub/2010-2019/2012/05/18/denver/photos/rtd-union-station-14.jpg

http://yourhub.denverpost.com/rf/image_lowres/YourHub/2010-2019/2012/05/18/denver/photos/rtd-union-station-09.jpg

http://yourhub.denverpost.com/rf/image_lowres/YourHub/2010-2019/2012/05/18/denver/photos/rtd-union-station-04.jpg

Some photos of the new West Line scheduled to open this April.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8056/8148581731_db3e1086a6_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8148581731/)
Auraria Station with Catenary 8.2.11 (2) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8148581731/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8148613974_be1855fbff_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8148613974/)
Auraria Station 8.16.11 (2) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8148613974/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8184/8148581569_aa72e2ca11_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8148581569/)
Auraria Station 10.4.11 (1) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8148581569/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7123/8170194749_b4845b8b22_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8170194749/)
Decatur Federal Station - August, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8170194749/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8059/8170551968_4a7daf2558_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8170551968/)
Knox Station - December, 2011 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8170551968/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7251/8170552720_dd60de7c77_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8170552720/)
Knox Station - August, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8170552720/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8489/8185821078_20bd2abf6d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8185821078/)
Perry Station - May, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8185821078/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8186722570_f9f0ccc46e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8186722570/)
Sheridan Station - July, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8186722570/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8186814310_97d2f13ef0_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8186814310/)
Sheridan Station - August, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8186814310/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8188750414_66b5709a15_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8188750414/)
Lamar Station - November, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8188750414/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8490/8188908392_d029a89c84_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8188908392/)
Lakewood•Wadsworth Station - August, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8188908392/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8190016613_d76c56bbd2_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8190016613/)
Federal Center Station - August, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8190016613/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8190091907_88bf4a5e22_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8190091907/)
Red Rocks Station - July, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8190091907/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8190091907_88bf4a5e22_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8190091907/)
Red Rocks Station - July, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8190091907/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8190251655_e861561c54_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8190251655/)
Jeffco Government Center•Golden Station - August, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8190251655/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

hello! I did not know the Denver transportation system is great and it is best to continue expanding!

hello! I did not know the Denver transportation system is great and it is best to continue expanding!

Yep, it's all thanks to the FasTracks expansion plan which is building new light rail, commuter rail, and BRT lines across the metro area.

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2011_04_29_FasTracksMap01.jpg

Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22432209/new-plan-aims-at-bolstering-fastracks-commerce-city


RTD plan would build FasTracks to Commerce City sooner

By Monte Whaley
The Denver Post

Posted: 01/23/2013 08:35:01 AM MST
Updated: 01/24/2013 12:12:14 AM MST

Regional Transportation District officials say they have a financial plan that will build the FasTracks North Rail Line from Denver Union Station to 72nd Avenue in Commerce City decades earlier than projected.

In fact, if the plan moves along as expected — and local governments agree — RTD could release a Request for Proposal to build the North Metro rail line to 72nd Avenue in about 10 months and complete the segment as early as 2017.

RTD said last year that, without additional funding, the North Rail Line might not be finished until 2044, angering residents and municipalities along the corridor.

But Tuesday night, RTD General Manager Phil Washington told the RTD board of directors that the agency has found three areas it could tap to help fund the project. That pleased board members, including the newly elected Judy Lubow, who represents northern communities on the proposed FasTracks line.

Washington said the current market can allow RTD to:

• Refinance three RTD debt issues at the current lower-than-issue rates to reduce payments, improve cash flow and provide additional capacity under TABOR limits
• Issue needed bridge financing debt for the EagleP3 project now to bridge the Full Funding Grant Agreement at a lower interest rate.
• Issue sales-tax revenue bonds later in 2013 to finance the remaining Denver Union Station to 72nd Avenue segment.

Washington said this approach will allow the agency to complete the segment without a tax increase. He will produce a formal plan for the board in February.

RTD is also looking at federal grants to complete the rest of the 18.4-mile North Metro Line.

RTD will seek help from "partners" in the region to fund the needed 50 percent match — which is estimated to be about $250 million.

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2012/1220/20121220__00010141_H8355808~p1.jpg
These are graphics from Denver Transit Partners illustrating aspects of its proposal to design and build the RTD FasTracks Eagle P3 Project commuter rail lines to DIA, Arvada-Wheat Ridge and Westminster. (Handout)

TpNnx8hT9_Y

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8515889649_28b714d112_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8515889649/)
6th Ave. Bridge Lighting (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8515889649/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://denverinfill.com/blog/2013/03/denver-union-station-update-111.html

http://denverinfill.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2013-03-07_DUS-300x225.jpg
Union Station construction

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8518628313_c523c29083_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8518628313/)
I-225 Rail Line Groundbreaking (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8518628313/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Community leaders turn the first shovels at the groundbreaking celebration at the future Aurora City Center Station. March 1, 2013

O really like the new line. It seems they really went out of their way to make the system attractive, inviting, user friendly, and meld in well with the urban landscape.

It's pretty cool that RTD is building new electrified commuter rail lines instead of using diesel locomotives on freight lines.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8552480494_640223853f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8552480494/)
Catch the Train photo contest, round 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8552480494/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8551378373_216b58c40d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8551378373/)
Catch the Train photo contest, round 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8551378373/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8230/8551378973_888985c5c5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8551378973/)
Catch the Train photo contest, round 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8551378973/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8530/8551379223_3a15a3048c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8551379223/)
Catch the Train photo contest, round 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8551379223/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8505/8552481700_6576644e46_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8552481700/)
Catch the Train photo contest, round 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8552481700/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8548396613_a351f524a8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8548396613/)
Photo of construction workers on the South Platte River commuter rail bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8548396613/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

It's pretty cool that RTD is building new electrified commuter rail lines instead of using diesel locomotives on freight lines.

It's quite astonishing for a mid size city in NA isn't it?

It's quite astonishing for a mid size city in NA isn't it?

Denver is anything but a mid-size city. It is the 20th largest metropolitan area in the country, population 2.74 million.

Terms like large, midsize, and small etc. do not have specific definitions and are based on subjective perceptions of relative size/status. In a US context, I classify metro areas over 5-6 million as the big cities, and everything below that but no smaller than say, Portland or Sacramento as midsized. Below that I'd call them small. In a global context, I'd even call Chicago a midsized city, given how many megacity metro areas there are now with millions more.

But if you want to call a describe a metro area that size as large, you're more than welcome to.

^^ Anyway, Denver has quite a network of light rail for its population, and has a consistent plan to expand it. Interestingly, the other "mountain metro" of US, Salt Lake City, has also an expanding network of light rail.

There are some drawbacks though, such as one-track segments that will be a bottleneck on any expansion of services (such as allowing no more than 8 trains per hour to Denver International Airport, as the Pena Boulevard will have a long 1-track segment). I also don't understand why are they using crap busway as a solution to connect Boulder instead of using some rail-based solution

It's pretty cool that RTD is building new electrified commuter rail lines instead of using diesel locomotives on freight lines.

You mean like Toronto?

Toronto is actually building a new diesel line for it's airport express if you can believe it. Many US cities like Denver are catching up on some of the older and more established large transit centres of Eastern NA.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8593171606_fe28b65f92_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8593171606/)
Catch the Train, Round 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8593171606/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

'W-Rail'
Jurky Jurkovich
March 24, 2013 @ 10:00am
Jefferson Courthouse

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8090/8593171520_9d6347fc18_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8593171520/)
Catch the Train, Round 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8593171520/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

'Tunnel'
Jurky Jurkovich
March 24, 2013 @ 10:30am
Jefferson Courthouse

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8593171668_44a1be4b69_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8593171668/)
Catch the Train, Round 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8593171668/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Round 3 Winner
'Indiana Bridge'
Jurky Jurkovich
March 11, 2013 @ 8:30am
Indiana Bridge

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8095/8592070069_1a898a9597_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8592070069/)
Catch the Train, Round 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8592070069/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Rob Winzurk
Here is a photo of an eastbound test train traveling thru The Lakewood Dry Gulch Park near Wolf and 11th. Taken around 3PM on March 19th.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8241/8592070179_793aedfbde_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8592070179/)
Catch the Train, Round 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8592070179/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Rob Winzurk
Here is an eastbound train approaching the Sheridan Station on March 19th at 2:15PM. Taken from the Sheridan Blvd. Bridge

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8369/8593171988_6eda2f006d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8593171988/)
Catch the Train, Round 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8593171988/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Chip Sherman
Car 264 (cool ad wrap!) eastbound approaching Sheridan Station with snow covered foothills in distance.
March 11, 2013 10:00 AM
Photo was taken at Sheridan Station from public sidewalk.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8592070301_19ce9f53f0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8592070301/)
Catch the Train, Round 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8592070301/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Chip Sherman
Car 264 climbed Joint Line Flyover during West Line testing March 11, 2013 with Denver skyline at upper left.
9:30 AM; I-25 and Colfax southwest of Denver.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8592071099_0bd3ede7ca_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8592071099/)
Catch the Train, Round 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8592071099/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

John Schmidt
Photo was taken of an eastbound train between Indiana Ave. and Simms/Union Ave. on 3/11/2013 at 8:15 am.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8592071177_e3c9fa6530_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8592071177/)
Catch the Train, Round 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8592071177/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

John Schmidt
Photo was taken of an eastbound train between Indiana Ave. and Simms/Union Ave. on 3/10/2013 at 9:14 am

Terms like large, midsize, and small etc. do not have specific definitions and are based on subjective perceptions of relative size/status. In a US context, I classify metro areas over 5-6 million as the big cities, and everything below that but no smaller than say, Portland or Sacramento as midsized. Below that I'd call them small. In a global context, I'd even call Chicago a midsized city, given how many megacity metro areas there are now with millions more.

But if you want to call a describe a metro area that size as large, you're more than welcome to.

Its not the relative size which matters, its the absolut size. Everything beyond 1 Mio inhabitants can even support a full metro if the city layout is not messed up too much by car centric low density city planning. A 5 mio city can support a massive metro network, together with a dense suburban rail, tram etc network.

It might be surprising that a NA city of Denver's size can support a halfway decent light rail / commuter rail network, given their urban (or rather suburban) layout, but how big other cities are plays absolutely no role for that conclusion.

My comment has nothing to do with which city can support it. It's surprising that the city has chosen to do it (speaking specifically about creating an EMU commuter line) since few cities in NA have gone that route. In fact no US city smaller than greater DC and Philadelphia (that I know of) have electric commuter services with most seeming to prefer the option of making cheap-as-possible diesel locomotive services due to the political or cultural climate. There are a few like Portland, Austin, and San Diego with DMU service, but they're also rare.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/8610470458_3bd18dacd0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8610470458/)
Photo of Peña Boulevard Bridge Girder Placement, March 18, 2013 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8610470458/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/8609333243_7f26a5b667_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8609333243/)
Photo of pier construction for Utah Junction commuter rail bridge, March 14, 2013 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8609333243/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

My comment has nothing to do with which city can support it. It's surprising that the city has chosen to do it (speaking specifically about creating an EMU commuter line) since few cities in NA have gone that route. In fact no US city smaller than greater DC and Philadelphia (that I know of) have electric commuter services with most seeming to prefer the option of making cheap-as-possible diesel locomotive services due to the political or cultural climate. There are a few like Portland, Austin, and San Diego with DMU service, but they're also rare.

Electric commuter rail might be more expensive indeed for such low capacities that these corridors are planned for but it has some tremendous advantages, the main station downtown will not smell like an oil power plant during rush hour for example. And of course, if you plan on creating a substantial PT network, you'll reach the point eventually where electrified systems would be a clear gain, so if you expect that, it might be clever to get the real deal right away.

But the US is not really known for big PT budgets indeed. That makes Denver's achievements even the more impressive. I am really looking forward to seeing the further development especially around the station. Also the airport connection, is great. Taking the train from the airport to downtown is such a hassle free thing to do, compared to all the alternatives.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8542/8635396664_b7746b4013_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8635396664/)
Catch the Train, Round 4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8635396664/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Robert Winzurk, Here, receiving a friendly wave from the operator, a westbound test train at 13th and Allison St. Taken April 3rd, 2013 at 3pm

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8634289047_af01c57ffd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8634289047/)
Catch the Train, Round 4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8634289047/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Rob Winzurk; Here is a photo of a westbound test train west of the Kipling Bridge. Photo taken March 30th at 6:30pm.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8634293159_b62d614f54_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8634293159/)
Catch the Train, Round 4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8634293159/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Rob Winzurk; Here is a westbound test train approaching the Perry Station on March 25, 2013 at 2:10pm.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8380/8635401758_1670e615b9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8635401758/)
Catch the Train, Round 4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8635401758/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

John Schmidt; This photo was taken on 4/5/2013 at 12:28 pm of a westbound train that has just passed under Union Blvd. Next stop, Red Rocks College.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8635401874_320778791c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8635401874/)
Catch the Train, Round 4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8635401874/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

John Schmidt; Photo was taken on 3/29/2013 at 5:45 pm. Looking north at the Simms/Union, 6th Ave. bridge, an east and westbound train pass each other.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8635406138_e71e848d78_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8635406138/)
Catch the Train, Round 4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8635406138/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Richard Keyes; Arriving at the Lamar Station (Sunday, April 7, 2013, 7:19 am)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8635403958_a62af229fe_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8635403958/)
Catch the Train, Round 4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8635403958/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Richard Keyes; Arriving at the Federal Center Station (Sunday, April 7, 2013, 7:58 am).

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8634297429_937012fcbc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8634297429/)
Catch the Train, Round 4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8634297429/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Jack Gagliardi; 3/27/13 2:47p; From Bldg 67 11th floor, Denver Federal Center

I'm really excited to see the effects that this new rail network has on development in and around Denver over the coming decades. I'm biased, but I'd tend to think it'll be very positive; thanks for reposting the pics, Woonsocket54.

Korea-made commuter rail cars

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8641805010_c145bb59b1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8641805010/)
Entry Area (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8641805010/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

The entry foyer of the commuter rail car.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8641814080_5f5d5bc2fd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8641814080/)
RTD FasTracks First Commuter Rail Car (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8641814080/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

The center seating section has an aisle wide enough for wheelchair users to go from one set of doors to another.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8404/8641813432_2f94d61841_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8641813432/)
Interior of Commuter Rail Vehicle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8641813432/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

The center seating section of the RTD commuter rail car has two-by-two seating.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8525/8640710353_5db479e303_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8640710353/)
LED Display Board (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8640710353/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

LED display boards will show passenger information such as the upcoming station stops.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8640705627_e977c6acdb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8640705627/)
Bicycle Racks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8640705627/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

Each commuter rail car will have two bicycle areas, with two types of securement. The area can also be used for oversized luggage, golf or ski bags.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8641807754_24fc4575df_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8641807754/)
Widened Wheelchair Access (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8641807754/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

The fellow in the green jacket is standing in the wheelchair space. Notice the windscreen he is leaning against; it is not as wide as the other side. The reason is to provide more space for wheelchairs and scooters to maneuver from the door to the wheelchair area.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8640714199_89013cb205_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8640714199/)
Car on Test track (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8640714199/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8641816564_a00c5a64ce_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8641816564/)
Tilt Test (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8641816564/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

The commuter rail car is put through a roll-angle test at the Hyundai Rotem plant in Changwon, South Korea.

^^ Nice train. They shouldn't allow bicycles inside it here though.

^^ It really annoys me when people take their bikes on peak hour trains. It happens all the time here in Melbourne.

Regarding the Denver airport rail line, does anyone have a map of the route it will take? Will it connect the Airport direct to Denver's Union station or will there be stops in between?

^^ It really annoys me when people take their bikes on peak hour trains. It happens all the time here in Melbourne.

Regarding the Denver airport rail line, does anyone have a map of the route it will take? Will it connect the Airport direct to Denver's Union station or will there be stops in between?

You can read about it here http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/ec_1

Or here: http://goo.gl/maps/Uf048 (extensive google maps lay-over)

They also have maps for the other lines/projects in Denver.

If peak hour transport of bikes is a problem because of carriage overload, one can limit bikes to non-peak hours. Space for bikes in trains is not wasted in any case as it allows additional standing or luggage room if no bikes are present. So why not enabling bike transport on commuter rail?

If peak hour transport of bikes is a problem because of carriage overload, one can limit bikes to non-peak hours. Space for bikes in trains is not wasted in any case as it allows additional standing or luggage room if no bikes are present. So why not enabling bike transport on commuter rail?

It takes away seating capacity and usually bike carrying supplement fares are not nearly high enough to cover the cost of the space taken from seats (like a person + bike not costing even 2x person-fare).

^^
I think non-peak services allowing bicycles is a good practice- if it attracts passengers that otherwise may not use the service, better than running empty off peak trains, especially given that most American suburban commute services are very peaky. Of course, if bicycle space takes away valuable seat revenue space in peak hour services, it's not good. Another option is to make those bike spaces also usable for standing passengers, with appropriate handholds, straps etc. But the American commuter culture seems allergic to standing and there is a belief that everyone needs a seat.

It takes away seating capacity and usually bike carrying supplement fares are not nearly high enough to cover the cost of the space taken from seats (like a person + bike not costing even 2x person-fare).

If you allow them only if there is proper space, eg outside of peak hours, there is no space that is taken away from anyone as there is sufficient space and the weight of bikes certainly don't matter anyway. That is also my very experience from the Viennese subway where off-peak bike transport is allowed and no problem at all, nor a reducing the subway's capacity where needed.

Why not just have cyclists pay extra to bring their bikes during rush hour? Certainly worth the premium for the extra convenience they offer.

^^ It inconvenience other passengers too much, and US commuter train system need seating capacity (if passengers have to stand, many will just drive).

No FRA waiver to have lighter and more efficient trains than those?

^^ It inconvenience other passengers too much, and US commuter train system need seating capacity (if passengers have to stand, many will just drive).

One bike corner reduces seat capacity maybe by one seat as optional side seats can be still available. Given, that this same corner could also accommodate baggies, luggage or wheel chairs it seems a reasonable thing to offer at least one of them. I doubt the main problem of commuter trains in the US is to accommodate an exploding number of people but rather to make the system as attractive as possible for as many as possible.

I sometimes take my bike on the train to work in peak hours, and there are often several others doing the same. It can be a pain when the trains are really busy, both for the cyclist and the other passengers but generally it doesn't seem to be a major problem.

Well they could always add a separate rail car for bike storage since that is how Copenhagen's S-Tog commuter rail system solved the problem of accommodating bike riders.

GvvaYlU9n30

The West Line finally opened to the public Friday, with regular service beginning this Sunday.

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/wc_202

http://www.rtd-denver.com/images/Westrailmapfares.jpg

http://denverurbanism.com/2013/04/all-aboard-rtds-west-line-opens.html

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2013-04-26_w-line-opening05.jpg

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2013-04-26_w-line-opening01.jpg

There is some long sections with only one track as I see in the video.

There is some long sections with only one track as I see in the video.

Yeah, to save money RTD decided to make many sections single track between Federal Center and Jeffco Government Center with reduced frequency.

Do we know if there's enough ROW along the various for double tracking in the future if necessary?

Yeah, to save money RTD decided to make many sections single track between Federal Center and Jeffco Government Center with reduced frequency.
What is the peak frequency ?

What is the peak frequency ?

4 trains per hour between Jefferson County Gov. and Federal Center (2 stations)

8 trans per hours the rest of the line

Full schedule: http://www3.rtd-denver.com/schedules/getSchedule.action?runboardId=133&routeId=103&routeType=2&branch=W&lineName=W&direction=E-Bound&serviceType=3

I see that they gave up on the G trains connecting the ends of the I-25 and I-225 lines. Can't say I'm surprised at that. too bad they spent all that money on a grade-separated light rail interchange at the I-25-I-225 junction (http://goo.gl/maps/lC9hB). :ohno:

From the first page of the thread:
http://www.jimwilliamson.net/misc/2007-07-02-denver-train-coors/denver-rtd-lightrail-map.gif

I suppose they'll try it again once the I-225 line is extended.

I'm also unpleasantly surprised at how poorly the West line connects with the rest of the system-- getting from the west line to the high-rise core requires two transfers, one of them about a mile out of the way and in a dicey-looking part of town (http://goo.gl/maps/JIZYr). Perhaps at some point full three-way wyes could be added along with a transfer station at Curtis and 5th Streets (http://goo.gl/maps/XVtU7). Admittedly, working around or rebuilding the Colfax Avenue Viaduct would be a challenge...

To me it seems odd that RTD would provide elaborately for a rather marginal-looking suburb-to-suburb connection but not for what ought to be a major axis through the city's core. WTF?

EDIT: I'll say something positive now: Peak service is 18 trains per hour! Here's I-25/Broadway northbound in the morning:

F 8:01
D 8:04
E 8:07
H 8:10
D 8:13

F 8:16
D 8:19
C 8:22
H 8:25
F 8:31

D 8:34
E 8:37
H 8:40
D 8:43
F 8:46

D 8:49
C 8:52
H 8:55

I wish MARTA did that!

I'm also unpleasantly surprised at how poorly the West line connects with the rest of the system-- getting from the west line to the high-rise core requires two transfers, one of them about a mile out of the way and in a dicey-looking part of town (http://goo.gl/maps/JIZYr). Perhaps at some point full three-way wyes could be added along with a transfer station at Curtis and 5th Streets (http://goo.gl/maps/XVtU7). Admittedly, working around or rebuilding the Colfax Avenue Viaduct would be a challenge...

Why would anyone traveling on the W Line need to make three transfers when they could just get off at Union Station and take the 16th Street Shuttle?

4 trains per hour between Jefferson County Gov. and Federal Center (2 stations)

8 trans per hours the rest of the line

Full schedule: http://www3.rtd-denver.com/schedules/getSchedule.action?runboardId=133&routeId=103&routeType=2&branch=W&lineName=W&direction=E-Bound&serviceType=3
It is better than what I expected.

Why would anyone traveling on the W Line need to make three transfers when they could just get off at Union Station and take the 16th Street Shuttle?

I didn't say three transfers-- I said two. I admit, though- I was being too pessimistic. In fact, the 16th Street Shuttle would allow that trip to be made with only one transfer, and it serves some high-rise areas that aren't on the California/Stout loop. Getting to the Weldon Street line or the Denver CC area would require two, though. With the wyes I mentioned, none would be required, at least for some trips.

EDIT: Somewhere on the internet there's a raucous debate about the situation, but this is all I've found so far: http://denverurbanism.com/2011/07/auraria-west-campus-station-area-infrastructure-reconfiguration.html . FWIW, of the several commenters who mention the situation, none defend the current configuration, though one says that the downtown Stout/California loop is already at capacity and couldn't accept West line trains even if there were an efficient way of routing them there.

There's a map (click to view-- it's really big) (http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-07-31_auraria_west_map.jpg) showing how the connections are today, too, made before construction began. Note that the eastern wye was there, and there was space for the western one, too, but the line was moved after its initial construction in order to place the Auraria West Campus station where it is.

Well that was one of the reasons why they rerouted the W Line away from California/Stout because of capacity issues. Anyways given that the East Corridor, Gold Line, and North Lines are expected to serve Union Station it makes sense to reroute the line there (however Denver would probably be better off if they built the downtown segment underground ala Edmonton or Pittsburgh to resolve any capacity issues but cest la vie).

Well that was one of the reasons why they rerouted the W Line away from California/Stout because of capacity issues.

That and the near-certainty that with 18 trains per hour on the Central Line, operations at two adjacent at-grade wyes would be a fustercluck.

Anyways given that the East Corridor, Gold Line, and North Lines are expected to serve Union Station it makes sense to reroute the line there (however Denver would probably be better off if they built the downtown segment underground ala Edmonton or Pittsburgh to resolve any capacity issues but cest la vie).

Which brings me to item 2: Why don't they extend the LRT all the way to Union Station instead of stopping it three blocks away? It'd be unfortunate but understandable if buildings had been in the way, but the entire area has been cleared for redevelopment (http://goo.gl/maps/y8c1y). Throw in a turnaround for the all-important 16th Street Shuttle, too: As it stands, it looks as though shuttle riders will need to cross 16th street to board it.

In Denver I read the usual blather about "a seamless intermodal transit system," but this seam is three blocks wide, and right at one of the system's most critical junctions. WTF? :bash:

That and the near-certainty that with 18 trains per hour on the Central Line, operations at two adjacent at-grade wyes would be a fustercluck.



Which brings me to item 2: Why don't they extend the LRT all the way to Union Station instead of stopping it three blocks away? It'd be unfortunate but understandable if buildings had been in the way, but the entire area has been cleared for redevelopment (http://goo.gl/maps/y8c1y). Throw in a turnaround for the all-important 16th Street Shuttle, too: As it stands, it looks as though shuttle riders will need to cross 16th street to board it.

In Denver I read the usual blather about "a seamless intermodal transit system," but this seam is three blocks wide, and right at one of the system's most critical junctions. WTF? :bash:

The light rail stop used to be right where they are building the new train canopy. They moved it to avoid the jog the trains used to have to make to get to the main line and to make room for the new 3 block long underground bus depot. The white canopy you see right next to the station is the entrance to the bus depot. And the entrance to the 16th street mall shuttle is right at the station as well.

The light rail stop used to be right where they are building the new train canopy. They moved it to avoid the jog the trains used to have to make to get to the main line and to make room for the new 3 block long underground bus depot. The white canopy you see right next to the station is the entrance to the bus depot. And the entrance to the 16th street mall shuttle is right at the station as well.

That's interesting-- I didn't know about the station being moved.

I also received this informative reply at http://denverurbanism.com/ :

Hi Tom. Thanks for your comment!

The Union Station Transit District is comprised of three elements, the Light Rail Station, the underground Regional Bus Facility, and the Commuter Rail/Amtrak Station. The distance between the Light Rail platforms and the Commuter Rail platforms is 800 feet–not three blocks. That distance, 150-feet shorter than one-half the length of the A/B/C/D/E concourses at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, can be traversed one of three ways: 1.) Walk at street level through the 17th Street Gardens, 2.) Take the Mall Shuttle from the Light Rail Station to the next stop at the end of the Commuter Rail station (roughly 16th and Wewatta), or 3.) Go into the Chestnut Pavilion at the Light Rail Station and walk underground through the Pedestrian Concourse inside the Bus Facility, emerging up into the Wewatta Pavilion directly next to the Commuter Rail Station or up into the Union Station Pavilion right at the door to the historic station. The underground bus facility stretches the entire length of the transit district–it’s below both the Light Rail and Commuter Rail stations. Based on the average adult walking speed of 3 MPH, the time to walk from Light Rail to Commuter Rail is approximately 3-4 minutes.

As I alluded to above, there will be a 16th Street Mall Shuttle stop directly at the end of the Commuter Rail Station (roughly 16th and Wewatta), 175 feet from the end of the Commuter Rail platforms, so boarding the Mall Shuttle from the Commuter Rail trains will be a snap.

As to why everything isn’t all stacked on top of each other right behind the historic station… not only did that plan alternative have an approximate $1 billion price tag that the project couldn’t afford, but it ultimately had engineering issues that the federal government nixed due to safety issues. There’s no room for the Light Rail, which crosses over 15th Street and Cherry Creek just one block south of the Light Rail Station, to do a sharp turn and get closer to the Commuter Rail Station without some major restructuring of the whole street grid just for a few hundred feet. Also, RTD has determined that a fraction (less than 10%) of travelers will actually be making the Light Rail-to-Commuter Rail mode transfer. Most people will be arriving/departing via one mode or the other to or from Downtown as a pedestrian or via the Mall Shuttle.

The Union Station Transit District plan also includes a new 16th Street Mall Shuttle-like service called the Downtown Circulator, a major bicycle facility, space for taxis and pedicabs, and three major public plazas. I hope that explanation helps.

I still think that 800 feet is too long, but the underground connection helps. And the Downtown Circulator will parttly address the too-many-transfers issue I brought up in post 112.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/8717938861_51b62cef33_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8717938861/)
Photo of the Jersey Cutoff Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8717938861/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/8719057134_b699058ab3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8719057134/)
Photo of Union Pacific freight train moving between support piers for the Interstate 70 commuter rail flyover bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8719057134/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/8719057308_8f64c2c674_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8719057308/)
Photo of girders being placed on the Utah Junction commuter rail bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8719057308/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/8719057464_921b6af52b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8719057464/)
Photo of construction on the Peoria Station passenger platform (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8719057464/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8417/8701158785_db032f5f08_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8701158785/)
Photo of Commuter Rail Pilot Car at assembly plant (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8701158785/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8280/8702281916_08ecc00103_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8702281916/)
Rendering of 0th and Colorado Station (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtd-denver/8702281916/) by Regional Transportation District (http://www.flickr.com/people/rtd-denver/), on Flickr

I should mention that the old G line that necessitated the expensive grade-separated junction will be reinstated when they extend the tracks north to meet the East Line at Peoria station.

Also probably made sense to build those flyovers while the rest of the freeway was under construction back in the early 2000s