First Leg of Denver's Multi-Billion Dollar Transit Expansion Set to Open Next Month

After passing a trial run with few problems this week, Denver's 12.1-mile West Rail Line is set to open to the public next month.

March 22, 2013, 9am PDT | Jonathan Nettler | @nettsj

When it opens to the public on April 26, the West Rail Line (officially dubbed the "W" line) will be the first portion of the immense metro-wide FasTracks program to be completed, reports Monte Whaley. "The W Line will run between Denver Union Station and the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden. It passes through 11 new stations that include six Park-n-Ride lots with 5,606 parking spots."

"At rush hour, the $707 million line will run every 7½ minutes. RTD expects about 20,000 people will ride each day. The line includes 20 at-grade crossings — which is an intersection at the same level as the train — 10 light rail bridges, three street bridge reconstructions, three pedestrian bridges, two light rail tunnels and more than 4 miles of bike paths."

"New bus routes will get people closer to the rail stations while new sidewalks, bike paths and pedestrian bridges have been built to connect Denver's South Platte River Trail to Lakewood, [RTD spokeswoman Pauletta Tonilas] said."

Full Story:

RTD West Rail Line nearly ready to roll

Published on Thursday, March 21, 2013 in The Denver Post