RTD to begin Southeast Rail Extension in May

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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RTD

Construction on the Denver Regional Transportation District's (RTD) Southeast Rail Extension Project will break ground May 10.

 

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded RTD $92 million through its Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Program, which will allow RTD to give Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. (BBII) the notice to proceed with construction. The remaining cost is being covered by local funding sources and the total cost of the project is $233.1 million.

“FTA is proud to partner with Denver to support the Southeast Rail Extension,” said FTA Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers. “By expanding light rail south of the city, we are helping to create efficient, new access to Denver and all that the city has to offer, improving connections for residents along the I-25 corridor who are traveling to jobs, school, medical care and other opportunities in downtown Denver and throughout the metropolitan area.”

“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.

An amount of $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 this region.

“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,” commented Tobiassen.

The Southeast Rail Extension project-from Lincoln Avenue to RidgeGate Parkway-is part of the 2004 voter-approved FasTracks plan. 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.

When the project is completed in 2019, residents will have the option to travel from the RidgeGate Station on the E Line to Union Station, the F Line to 18th-California and the new R Line through Aurora to Peoria Station and connect to the University of Colorado A Line commuter train to Denver International Airport or to Union Station in downtown Denver.

 

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