Denver Still Seeking a Solution to At-Grade Crossings on New Rail Lines

Seemingly esoteric matters of crossing safety and gate activation times are presenting a major obstacle for RTD's commuter rail expansion projects in the Denver area.

1 minute read

September 28, 2017, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Grade Crossing

Jeffrey Beall / Flickr

John Aguilar reports on a major setback for the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in the Denver region, after the Colorado Public Utilities Commission denied a commuter rail safety plan affecting the A, B, and G lines.

According to Aguilar, the Public Utilities Commission denied a "request to change the timing of crossing gates on several of the metro area’s commuter rail lines, as well as turning down a planned resumption of full testing on the as yet unopened G-Line."

The request was essential to the RTD's plan to set an opening date for the G Line. "The rulings also leave in question when flaggers, who at substantial cost have been stationed at the crossings along two rail lines for more than a year, will no longer be needed," according to Aguilar. Aguilar led coverage by The Denver Post of the extra costs incurred to pay flaggers at 11 at-grade crossings on Denver's airport train.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017 in The Denver Post

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