Denver’s $152M light rail overhaul to cause traffic and transit headaches downtown
Transportation officials on Wednesday announced a massive $152 million light rail reconstruction project in the heart of downtown Denver.
The good news: The four-phase project will replace aging, 30-year-old infrastructure over the course of the next two years.
The bad news: The construction will mean road closures, traffic, and temporary impacts to RTD light rail and bus lines at a time when the 16th Street Mall corridor is already struggling due to a massive infrastructure project.
“Maintaining RTD’s assets and infrastructure is essential to preserving the region’s previous investments in its mass transportation system,” Debra A. Johnson, RTD general manager and chief executive officer, said in a news release announcing the project. “Managing and maintaining assets in a state of good repair ensures the long-term integrity of the rail network for all individuals who entrust RTD to deliver them to their destinations.”
A light rail station at 16th Street and California. Service will be suspended downtown during the summer of 2024, RTD said.
Courtesy photo, Regional Transportation District
A light rail station at 16th Street and California. Service will be suspended downtown during the summer of 2024, RTD said.
When is this happening?
The $152 million project will happen in four phases, with the first phase kicking off on May 26 and running through September.
RTD said it plans to pause after the first phase is complete and resume with the following three phases in 2025 — and that work may happen simultaneously.
What work is being done during each phase?
RTD said it is doing a full-depth reconstruction of the Downtown Loop, which first began service in 1994, with a goal of improving safety and mobility, replacing aging infrastructure and extending the life of the light rail network.
The initial phase will focus on five segments of “at-grade rail” and intersections in the Downtown Loop.
The intersections included in this phase are:
RTD plans to reconstruct light rail infrastructure at these five downtown Denver intersections in phase one of the project.
Regional Transportation District
RTD plans to reconstruct light rail infrastructure at these five downtown Denver intersections in phase one of the project.
- California and 17th streets
- Stout and 15th streets
- Stout and 17th streets
- California and 15th streets
- Broadway and Welton Street
Phase Two will focus on midblock reconstruction in the Downtown Loop.
Phase Three will be a Colfax Avenue Alignment Reconstruction project.
Finally, Phase Four will be improvements along the Welton Street corridor.
How will these projects impact light rail service?
Beginning on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, all light rail service within RTD’s central corridor will be suspended through September.
Meanwhile, the L Line, which connects the 30th and Downing Street Station to the Downtown Loop, will be suspended, and the D and H lines will be rerouted to Union Station.
How will these projects impact vehicle traffic?
RTD said it does not plan to reconstruct the five impacted intersections simultaneously, so the traffic impacts will be staggered.
Traffic in the area will be merged to one lane or rerouted around construction for limited periods of time during the summer, RTD said.
“RTD has been closely working with the City and County of Denver to discuss potential street closures and develop traffic detour plans,” transportation officials said in a news release.
How will the projects impact downtown bus routes?
RTD said routes that travel up and down 15th and 17th streets could see temporary impacts during the improvement projects.
Transportation officials said they plan to limit detours in the area.
RTD also said it will temporarily reintroduce its Free MetroRide service up and down 18th and 19th streets.
“Both the Free MallRide and MetroRide routes provide multiple stops between Denver Union Station and Civic Center Station,” transportation officials said.