DENVER - If the RTD East Rail (A) Line trains that run from the 40th Avenue and Airport Boulevard Station to the 40th Avenue and York Street station seem faster, they are.
Until Tuesday morning, RTD had been testing the A line commuter rail at a slower speed of 45 mph. The trains are now being tested at full speed, which is 79 mph.
The 79 mph speed will remain in effect until testing is complete and permanent operations start.
Although commuter rail trains have been moving at 79 mph along the Pena Boulevard portion of the A Line for the last couple of months, speed limits for trains vary depending on where along the alignment it is.
RTD is bringing this to attention because they want pedestrians to be aware trains will be moving much faster through crossings.
There will be flaggers at each intersection to ensure pedestrian safety.
RTD says gate arms are scheduled to be down only two to three minutes, but for safety reasons could be stay down longer in order for engineers to ensure intersections are safely cleared during testing.
Testing is part of RTD's expansion program to 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Union Station and redirect bus service to better connect the eight-county district. Learn more here: http://www.rtd-denver.com/.
(© 2015 KUSA)
