RTD FasTracks to hold public meeting February 22 about Northwest Metro Area transit options | Events

As the Regional Transportation District (RTD) considers the most effective way to provide transit service to the metro area’s northwest communities, the public is invited to hear national subject matter experts in commuter rail transit (CRT) and bus rapid transit (BRT) explain the characteristics of how either one of these two transit modes could operate in the northwest area. The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., February 22, at the Omni Interlocken Resort, 500 Interlocken Blvd., Broomfield. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. and project staff will be available to answer questions prior to the meeting.

Given significant cost increases associated with building and operating commuter rail in the Northwest corridor, from Denver Union Station to Longmont, RTD is analyzing whether to continue forward with the Northwest Rail Line or shift the remaining project funds to implement a BRT system. The cost of the Northwest Rail Line project has increased from $894.6 million to $1.7 billion following recent information from the BNSF Railway, which would allow RTD to operate on BNSF’s tracks after several improvements are made to the freight corridor.

Three options are currently being considered by the RTD Board of Directors:

1. Continue with the 41-mile rail line as part of the FasTracks package, with a projected completion date of 2024.
2. Continue with the 41-mile rail line with a projected completion date of 2024, but accelerate select capital projects and interim bus service for the Northwest Rail and U.S. 36 bus rapid transit corridor service areas.
3. Remove the Northwest Rail Line from the FasTracks plan and commit remaining project funds—capped at $894.6 million—for expanded/enhanced bus rapid transit in the Northwest corridor area.

Following the expert presentations, question sheets from the audience will be collected and answered by the expert panel. In addition, RTD is accepting input on the Northwest options through March 1 at www.rtd-fastracks.com. 

The public will also have the option of watching the meeting through a live video stream on the RTD website, www.rtd-denver.com.

About FasTracks

FasTracks will build 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and redirect bus service to better connect the eight-county District. FasTracks is projected to create thousands of construction and related jobs during the height of construction and will pump billions of dollars into the regional economy over the next 20 years.

For more information about FasTracks, visit www.rtd-denver.com.

Press Release