RTD unearths old rail trestle while building North Metro Line
Written by Kyra Senese, Managing EditorNorth Metro Rail Line construction crews uncovered a century-old rail trestle bridge by chance when workers were embarking on a large-scale drainage project in the Grange Hall area south of the Northglenn 112th station.
Regional Rail Partners, RTD’s contractor for the project, paused their work at the location after unearthing the trestle bridge, allowing historic preservationists to observe the discovery.
RTD determined through its research that the design plans for the old trestle bridge look to be from 1911, with the track itself dating back to 1909. Documents revealed the bridge was constructed to bear the Burnham Yard Lead above Grange Creek that once flowed through the region in the early 1900s.
Officials say the 14-span, 109 foot-long bridge was buried in 1951 when Union Pacific piped Grange Creek.
Regional Rail Partner crews moved back into the area to continue construction after it was established that the bridge did not have significant historical value.