AURORA, Colo. — The R line will be restored to full service Tuesday morning after a light rail derailment in Aurora on Sept. 21, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) said.
Service between the four-mile stretch between Aurora Metro Center to the 13th Avenue Station has experienced interruptions since the derailment.
RTD said restoring full service required a systems redesign of the intersection at Sable Boulevard and Exposition Avenue, the removal of a damaged support pole and adjustment to the overhead electoral system that provides power to light rail vehicles.
The following safety improvements have been completed after RTD's corrective action plan was approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC):
- All work related to the train-traffic interface at the intersection of Sable Boulevard and Exposition Avenue, meaning that light rail trains must stop prior to proceeding through the intersection.
- The speed on approach to the curve at Sable Boulevard and Exposition Avenue has been reduced from 35 mph to 25 mph, with the appropriate signage placed on the right-of-way.
- The relocation of a radar sign of approximately 100 feet farther north to allow more advance warning and increased visibility.
RTD said it has also given supplemental training to all light rail operators focused on speed adherence accord the entire light rail system.
"Test trains have been operating through the R Line four-mile segment since Saturday familiarizing supervisors, trainers and operators with the speed reduction and the stop-and-proceed requirement," RTD said. "RTD will have additional signage in place no later than Dec. 31 to advise operators of the curve at Sable Boulevard and Exposition Avenue."
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