RTD Completes Kalamath Street Crossing Project
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Crews constructed skeleton track at Kalamath.
Caption and image courtesy of RTD
DENVER - The Regional Transportation District (RTD) completed a project over the course of 86 days to reconstruct part of its light rail track next to Auraria Station.
According to RTD, the work wrapped up November 25 after 86 days of work. Weekly updates of the work were reported on its Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project webpage. The most recent report from the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project includes the Kalamath Street Crossing phase.
During construction, crews worked to replace 1,300 feet of track. They removed the existing concrete, ballast, rail, and ties before distributing fresh ballast for a smooth surface. Then, they worked to replace ties and clips and completed 81 track welds to fuse the rail together. RTD also says crews installed more than a mile of rubber flange way filler to close the gaps between rail and the concrete track paving.
Crews also conducted special track work. They installed 1,100 feet of restraining rail, which prevents train wheels from derailing around tight curves.At the Kalamath Street vehicle crossing, crews installed prefabricated concrete panels and completed a concrete foundation to support the structure. At crossings along the construction zone, crews worked to upgrade two crossings for pedestrians with tactile warning strips and made improvements to signs. At new track components, RTD says its inspectors conducted steps at every step of the process. These tests include ultrasonic testing of welds, ballast gradation testing, and rail-to-earth testing.
Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project Continues
In 2024, RTD completed the first phase of the project that reconstructed five intersections in the Downtown Loop. Future phases include the Colfax Avenue Alignment, where crews will reconstruct the track that runs adjacent to Colfax. Additionally, crews will reconstruct rail segments between intersections as part of the Downtown Loop Midblocks phase. Lastly, along the Welton Street Corridor, RTD will work on the design for planned improvements. RTD also has a YouTube playlist in which it shares videos of the progress made on the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project.
