DENVER — The Regional Transportation District is embarking on a $152 million project to reconstruct miles of light rail track in downtown Denver.
RTD said the first phase of the project will start in May.
"This major reconstruction project is the first of its kind in RTD’s history," RTD said in a news release. "Between 2012 and 2023, RTD undertook 17 isolated projects in the central corridor to replace sections of curved rail, switches, crossings, signals and other rail infrastructure. The project will leverage previous work done by RTD with time-specific closures to minimize the inconvenience to customers."
The first phase of the project will focus on five at-grade rail and street intersections in the downtown loop. Those intersections are:
- 15th and Stout streets
- 17th and Stout streets
- 15th and California streets
- 17th and California streets
- Broadway and Welton Street
"The Downtown Loop in Denver’s Central Business District is part of RTD’s inaugural light rail line and opened in October 1994," RTD said. "After nearly 30 years of continual service, several segments of track along the 5.3-mile corridor, which extends between I-25-Broadway and 30th-Downing stations, require a full-depth reconstruction. The full-depth reconstruction process involves removing all current rail infrastructure, concrete, ties and ballasts. Crews will also address drains below the 30-year-old rail system before fully rebuilding each segment."
RTD service impacts
RTD said starting May 26, all D and H line trains will be rerouted to Union Station, and L Line service, which connects the 30th and Downing Station to the Downtown Loop, will be suspended. No light rail service will operate in RTD’s central corridor through September.
Following completion of the project’s first phase in September, crews will pause reconstruction work until 2025, and all light rail services will resume normal operations.
RTD said bus routes along 15th and 17th streets may be temporarily impacted during the reconstruction project.
With light rail trains rerouting to Union Station, RTD said they are planning to temporarily reintroduce the Free MetroRide service, which operates along 18th and 19th streets.
"Beginning in March, staff will implement a comprehensive communications and outreach plan to ensure customers and stakeholders are well-aware of potential impacts to services and planned detours," RTD said. "The agency has also created a website with photos, illustrations, maps, detour information and project timelines for the public. The website is available at rtd-denver.com/railproject and will be continually updated during all phases of work. RTD will also host a series of virtual and in-person community meetings, both in English and Spanish, near impacted light rail lines. A schedule of the upcoming meetings will be made available on the project webpage."
RTD encouraged customers to sign up for Service Alerts that provide real-time text and email notifications about disruptions that may impact a specific bus route, rail line, stop or station. Riders can also check RTD’s website or use the NextRide web app to plan trips, view Service Alerts, and see bus and train locations in real time.
Traffic impacts
RTD said the five impacted intersections will not be reconstructed at the same time, and they are working with the city to discuss potential street closures and develop traffic detour plans.
During the project, car traffic may be merged to one lane or rerouted around the intersections for limited periods of time, RTD said.
Next steps
RTD said the next three phases of the project will begin in 2025. They're working on developing comprehensive reconstruction plans for those phases, which include:
- Phase Two: Midblock Reconstruction in Downtown Loop
- Phase Three: Colfax Avenue Alignment Reconstruction
- Phase Four: Welton Street Corridor
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