Groundbreaking ceremony held ahead of construction of RTD Southeast Rail Extension

An FRA survey will determine the availability and use of small, minority-owned and women-owned businesses in the publicly funded railroad landscape.

RTD

A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 10 at the future Sky Ridge Station for Denver's Southeast Rail Extension Project.

The extension will add 2.3 miles of light rail to the existing 19-mile Southeast Rail Line. The project also includes three new stations, 1,300 parking spaces and the purchase of eight vehicles. The first phase of the Southeast Rail Line opened in 2006 as an alternative to busy Interstate 25, running from I-25 and Broadway through the University of Denver south to the Douglas County line.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded Regional Transportation District (RTD) $92 million through its Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Program for the project in April. The funds represent 41 percent of the $233.1 million total project cost.

The federal funds allowed RTD to give Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. the notice to proceed with construction. BBII is the construction contractor selected by RTD to build out the extension transit project and will begin construction on May 16.

The remaining cost is being covered by local funding sources. RTD says an unprecedented $25 million in cash and an estimated $3 million in land and right-of-way permits from the city of Lone Tree, Douglas County, Coventry Development and the Southeast Public Improvement District made the Southeast Rail Extension a reality for the region.

“By expanding light rail south of the city, we are creating efficient new access to Denver and all the city has to offer for residents in the greater metropolitan area,” said FTA Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers. “This investment will improve connections for residents along the I-25 corridor who want to access Denver International Airport or jobs, school, medical care, and other vital services in Douglas County and downtown Denver.”

“The start of construction on the Southeast Rail Extension is another shining example of how important collaboration and innovation are to completing the FasTracks vision,” said RTD Board Chair Tom Tobiassen. “This project wouldn’t be happening without the support from the local jurisdictions, as well as our federal partner. It is because of our strong partnerships that we continue to expand public transportation throughout the Denver metro area and create a city that is ready for the future.”