The Regional Transportation District will begin the next phase of its multi-year downtown rail reconstruction project on Sunday, with street closures in the downtown loop midblocks and along the Colfax Avenue alignment.

According to a project update on the downtown rail reconstruction project webpage, the work includes full reconstruction of existing light rail tracks, electrical improvements at stations and limited utility work. Officials expect completion by the end of the first quarter of 2027, though all activities are schedule- and weather-dependent.

Reconstruction in the downtown loop midblocks will occur on Stout and California streets. Work on the Colfax alignment will target light rail tracks parallel to Colfax Avenue.

Crews will move north along Stout Street, east on 19th Street and south along California Street. Planned activities include rail deliveries and welding preparation, exploratory drilling, stormwater inspections and rail system work at the Stout and 15th streets intersection.

Stout will drop to one travel lane between 14th and 19th streets beginning Sunday through mid-October for staging and deliveries. The Stout and 15th streets intersection will see a one-lane reduction as soon as Wednesday for about one week. California Street between 18th and 19th streets will have a one-lane reduction for rail deliveries as soon as Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for two days. Intermittent closures may occur with flaggers in place.

On the Colfax alignment, work starts at 7th Street and proceeds east toward Kalamath Street. It includes track reconstruction, Cherry Creek Bridge work and upgrades at Colfax at Auraria station. A full 9th Street closure between Colfax and Champa is expected in early July.

Staging begins as soon as Saturday, with construction starting Sunday. Night work is planned to speed progress and limit daytime traffic impacts.

The contractor has a noise variance permit from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, and residents will get advance notice.

Seventh Street between Colfax Avenue and Curtis Street will be closed fully for seven to 10 days starting Sunday. Detours route traffic via Speer Boulevard, Auraria Parkway and Federal Boulevard. Pedestrian access shifts to the east side of the intersection.

Westbound Colfax Avenue between Kalamath and 7th streets will have a single-lane closure from Saturday through late September. Intermittent closures may occur with traffic control.

Service changes begin Sunday.

The D, H and L lines will be suspended, with adjustments to other routes.

There will be no rail service at Colfax at Auraria Station, but Auraria West Station will remain open. Bus Route 16 and the ART route will serve the area. The 16th Street FreeRide will run every three minutes daily, and the Free MetroRide every 10 minutes during weekday peaks.

The project began in May 2024 to rebuild the district’s oldest light rail infrastructure. The downtown loop has operated since Oct. 7, 1994, and carries more than 300 trains daily.

Updates are available on the downtown rail reconstruction project webpage at rtd-denver.com/railproject. For construction questions, contact [email protected] or (720) 902-8817.