Rail transit in metropolitan Denver
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The Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area in Colorado has a light rail system with 6 lines currently in operation, all of which are run by the Regional Transportation District (RTD). In addition, as part of the FasTracks plan approved by voters in November 2004, more light rail lines, as well as the introduction of three commuter rail or DMU lines and enhancements to existing light rail lines, will be built.
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[edit] History
The first line of the light rail system in Denver, known as the Central Corridor (see description below), opened from 30th & Downing Station to I-25/Broadway Station in October 1994. It is designated today as part of the D Line, also called the "Green Line". In July 2000, an extension (the Southwest Corridor) from I-25/Broadway Station to Littleton/Mineral Station opened. The Central Platte Valley (CPV) spur, a part of the C Line ("Orange Line"), opened from Union Station/LoDo/Coors Field Station to 10th & Osage Station on the Central Corridor in April 2002.
From April 3 to April 10, 2006, unionized drivers of RTD went on strike, forcing the temporary closure of all light rail lines for the first time in the system's history.
[edit] Route details
Among current routes, the C Line runs between Union Station/LoDo/Coors Field Station and Littleton/Mineral Station, and the D Line runs between 30th & Downing Station and Littleton/Mineral Station. Transfers between the C Line and the D Line can be made at 10th & Osage and at I-25 & Broadway.
[edit] Central Corridor (light rail)
The Central Corridor, a 5.3 mile (8.5 km) light rail line, opened in October 1994. It was built along Welton Street, through the Five Points district along Stout Street and California Street, and following a railroad right-of-way from Colfax Avenue down to the intersection of I-25 and Broadway. This line was built without the aid of tax increases or federal funds; however, extensions have been funded by the Federal Transit Administration and new tax measures.
[edit] Southwest Corridor (light rail)
After the success of the Central Corridor, the Southwest Corridor light rail route opened in July 2000. An 8.7 mile (13.9 km) light rail line, the route runs from the terminus of the Central Corridor at I-25 & Broadway to Mineral Avenue in Littleton with 5 existing stations. The line has been popular, and the park-n-Ride lots at its stations often experience parking shortages.
[edit] Central Platte Valley (light rail)
In April 2002, the Central Platte Valley (CPV) spur opened. It is a 1.8-mile (2.9-km) branch with four stations that provides light rail access to numerous venues, including the Auraria Campus, Invesco Field at Mile High, the Pepsi Center, Six Flags and Union Station.
[edit] Southeast Corridor (light rail)
In November 1999, Denver area voters approved a project, known as the Transportation Expansion (T-REX) Project [1], which involved reconstruction of I-25 between Broadway and Lincoln Avenue in Lone Tree, and I-225 between I-25 and Parker Road in Aurora, with widening of the road and light rail being built. The highway project was completed on August 22, 2006. The light rail line opened shortly after 11 AM on November 17 2006. The line covers 19.1 miles (30.6 km) and includes thirteen new stations, with free parking at all but the Louisiana station (which has no parking).
Routes within the Southeast Corridor include the E, from Union Station to Lone Tree, the F Line from downtown Denver's Central Loop to Lone Tree, the H Line from downtown Denver's Central Loop to Aurora, and the G Line cross-suburban service between Lone Tree and Aurora. G and H Line trips are coordinated with Route AT skyRide highway coach service to Denver International Airport from the Nine Mile (Aurora) Station.
It should be noted that there is currently no pedestrian access to Park Meadows mall from the County Line station on the southeast corridor. There are plans for a pedestrian bridge to be built in a year or so.
[edit] Future lines
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This article or section contains information about a planned or expected public transportation infrastructure. It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the construction and/or completion of the infrastructure approaches, and more information becomes available. |
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Six new rail lines and one extension to the rail system in the Denver area will be built due to the successful passing of two rail-related referendums in 1999 and 2004, the latter of which will involve a sales tax hike, and is one of the most ambitious mass transportation projects in United States history.
[edit] West Corridor (light rail)
This will be a new light rail line of 12.1 miles, or 19.4 km, that will follow a former Associated Railroad right-of-way. The project is already in Final Design, a Final Environmental Impact Statement having been completed. Eleven stations will be located on the line. It will open in 2013.
[edit] US 36 Corridor/Longmont Extension (commuter rail/DMU)
The Northwest Rail Corridor will be a commuter rail project between Denver, Boulder, and Longmont. The line will be 38.1 miles (61 km) and would entirely follow existing railroad right-of-way, with 7 stations on the route. It expected to be open in 2014.
[edit] East Corridor (commuter rail/DMU)
Another commuter rail line that is expected to open in 2014 is the East Corridor, a 23.6 mile (37.8 km) line between downtown Denver, Aurora, and Denver International Airport.
[edit] North Metro Corridor (commuter rail/DMU)
The area along the I-25 North corridor is growing heavily, and is expected to continue to grow. A commuter rail line along an existing railroad right-of-way from Denver to 160th Avenue in Thornton, which will be 18 miles (28.8 km) long, will open, with eight new stations, and will open in 2015.
[edit] I-225 Corridor (light rail)
Facilitating a circumferential link between the Southeast Corridor and the East Corridor is the I-225 Corridor, a new 10.5-mile (16.8 km) light rail line through Aurora, which will include seven new stations. This line will open in 2015.
[edit] Gold Line (light rail or commuter rail)
The Gold Line is an 11.2 mile (17.9 km) light rail or commuter rail line between Denver and Arvada, which would have seven stations. It is expected to be the last new line in the FasTracks plan to be built, which is planned to open in 2015.
[edit] Extensions (light rail)
Extensions to light rail lines that have already been completed are planned. The only extension committed by the FasTracks plan is to the Southwest Corridor, extending the line to the southwest corner of Lucent Boulevard and C-470. It appears the exension, which FasTracks voters were told would open in 2010 is now planned for 2016.
[edit] 2002-2004 Financial and Ridership Data
| Year | Unlinked passenger trips | Fare revenues | Operating expenses | Capital expenses | Total expenses | Farebox ratio | Farebox recovery including capital expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 10,429,572 | $7,826,147 | $18,983,692 | $138,601,876 | $157,585,568 | 41.23% | 4.97% |
| 2003 | 10,635,977 | $7,463,388 | $20,068,211 | $254,753,902 | $274,822,113 | 37.19% | 2.72% |
| 2004 | 10,028,459 | $8,050,707 | $21,689,060 | $205,997,532 | $227,686,592 | 37.12% | 3.54% |
| 2002 San Jose | 2,446,130 | $5,888,072 | $53,581,300 | $258,391,157 | $311,972,457 | 11.00% | 1.89% |
| 2002 Los Angeles | 32,605,548 | $18,332,264 | $83,689,122 | $4,058,191 | $87,747,313 | 21.91% | 20.89% |
sources: RTD 2002 RTD 2003 RTD 2004 San Jose 2002 Los Angeles 2002
Note: San Jose and Los Angeles data included for comparison purposes.
[edit] External links
- Official RTD site
- Official FasTracks Website, and map
- Denver Rail Transit and Public Transport Developments
- Transit Alliance
- Personal site containing photos of lines and various stations
