March 26, 2012
Welcome to Inside FasTracks – a monthly e-update for key stakeholders and community leaders, designed to keep you informed about the progress of the Regional Transportation District’s FasTracks program, upcoming events and meetings, and most importantly, FasTracks news. Your issue of Inside FasTracks arrives the last Monday of each month.
Latest News
RTD Board Votes on Northwest Rail Plan, Annual Report to DRCOG
The RTD Board of Directors will take a formal vote at the March 27 regular Board meeting on the 2012 FasTracks Financial Plan, which will include their decision on how to move forward with the Northwest Rail Line.
Each year, RTD conducts an Annual Program Evaluation which updates all inputs into the FasTracks Financial Plan, including:
- Sales and use tax forecasts
- Construction inflation assumptions
- Operations and maintenance (O&M) costs
- Capital costs
The capital cost for the FasTracks program has increased from $6.8 billion in 2011 to $7.4 billion in year-of-expenditure dollars by 2022. This includes building Northwest Rail to Church Ranch and bus rapid transit (BRT) in the northwest area, but doesn’t include building rail from Church Ranch to Longmont. That final cost will be determined following future negotiations with BNSF Railway. Most of FasTracks is scheduled for completion by 2020, including the partially funded projects like I-225; North Metro; U.S. 36 BRT; and the Southwest, Southeast and Central Corridor Extensions. Northwest Rail to Church Ranch would be complete in the 2020-2022 timeframe.
On March 20, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board’s FasTracks Monitoring Committee endorsed the RTD staff’s hybrid option recommendation on how to proceed with the FasTracks Northwest Rail Line.
The current plan keeps the Northwest Rail Line to Longmont in the FasTracks program, but adds BRT service to address transit needs in the short-term until the full build out of the rail.
- Commuter rail would be phased in incrementally while also implementing a bus rapid transit system
- The Northwest Rail Line would be extended to Church Ranch Blvd. in Westminster by 2022
- Bus rapid transit (BRT) would be provided by 2020
- Funding is anticipated to be available to start construction and service on Northwest Rail from Church Ranch to Longmont in the 2028-2034 timeframe
- Would not delay any of the other FasTracks projects
- Hybrid plan is dependent on a successful 0.4 percent sales tax election
- One of the benefits of moving forward with this plan is that it allows us to accommodate the immediate transit needs in the northwest area through bus rapid transit, while making the ultimate long-term investment in Northwest Rail as our cash flow allows and as transit needs grow.
To read Frequently Asked Questions about Northwest Rail,
click here.
To view the March 20 Board FasTracks Monitoring Committee Presentation,
click here.
First Rail Car Travels Along West Rail Line
The public saw the first light rail car travel along the West Rail Line on March 22 when RTD crews began initial clearance testing along the rail line.
Crews using a “unimog” (similar to a rail tugboat) pulled a light rail vehicle along the whole corridor beginning just south of the newly relocated Auraria West Station in downtown Denver.
This initial test confirms clearances between the vehicle and surrounding elements of the rail line including bridges, tunnels, sound walls, fencing, poles and station platforms along the alignment. Additional operations testing will continue intermittently until the West Rail Line opens in May 2013.
RTD Receives Unsolicited Proposal for I-225 Rail Line
RTD received a confidential unsolicited proposal for the I-225 Rail Line. The proposal was submitted by Kiewit Infrastructure Company, which led the design-build construction team on the Transportation Expansion (T-REX) project – a joint highway/light rail project of RTD and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Kiewit is
currently constructing the transit improvements at Denver Union Station, which are nearly 60 percent complete.
RTD staff is evaluating the proposal consistent with the agency’s Unsolicited Proposals Policy. In early April, RTD will determine whether to pursue a competitive procurement process and release a Request for Proposals for competing proposals.
Over the past year, RTD has publicized the agency’s desire to seek out innovations to complete the FasTracks program as soon as possible, enhance customer experience and reduce the cost of operations. This was the premise behind RTD’s first industry forum “Transformation Through Transportation” on Sept. 27, 2011.
“We’ve been encouraging the industry to think outside the box and come up with innovative ways to invest in our projects and get them done sooner rather than later,” said RTD Board Chair Lee Kemp.
“As one of RTD’s main partners on the I-225 Line, the City of Aurora is very encouraged by this proposal, and supports any effort that will help bring light rail to our community as soon as possible,” said Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan.
Lakewood•Wadsworth Parking Structure Groundbreaking Event
RTD and Swinerton Builders will break ground on the Lakewood•Wadsworth Parking Structure Wed., April 11 at 10 a.m. The 1,000-car garage will open with the West Rail Line in May 2013. Parking for the groundbreaking event will be available on 14th Avenue, east of Wadsworth Boulevard. Light refreshments will be served. For more information please call 303.592.1122.
First FasTracks Commuter Rail Car Undergoes Squeeze Test
The steel shell for the first RTD FasTracks commuter rail car underwent a compression “squeeze” test for structural integrity at the Hyundai Rotem plant in Changwon, South Korea, on Feb. 28. The car body was subjected to 800,000 pounds of pressure, and preliminary data indicates the structure performed well and well within Federal Railroad Administration limits.
Denver Transit Partners, RTD’s concessionaire on the Eagle P3 commuter rail project, is obtaining 50 electric commuter rail cars from Hyundai Rotem. The shells are being manufactured in Korea and then shipped to a Hyundai plant in Philadelphia for outfitting and finishing. At least 60 percent of the vehicle by value will be made in America. The commuter rail vehicles will be used in RTD's East Rail Line to Denver International Airport, Gold Line to Arvada/Wheat Ridge and the Northwest Rail Line to south Westminster.
FastFacts
West Rail Line Progress
Final Track Installed on West Rail Line
- The RTD FasTracks West Rail Line project team installed the final segment of track on the West Rail Line. Crews working just west of the Union Boulevard Tunnel completed the task of fully tying in the track for the whole rail line from Denver Union Station to the Jefferson County Government Center.
- The West Rail Line encompasses more than 116,000 lineal feet of track. Using effective and cost-efficient construction methods, and state-of-the-art equipment, the 45-member crew successfully completed the track installation in an unprecedented 18 months.
Project Progress
Central Rail Extension
The project team is evaluating options for extending streetcars into downtown Denver with potential for funding beyond the FasTracks program.
The team is continuing coordination with stakeholders.
Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility - Building design is progressing on what will be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified facility.
- One structure on the site has been demolished and utility relocations are underway.
- The CRMF yard has reached 100 percent design level.
Denver Union Station - Work continues in the interior first half of the bus facility (light rail terminal to Wewatta Street). Crews will pour the slab for the pedestrian concourse to prepare for flooring installation. Wall framing for the pedestrian concourse is in progress.
- Crews completed the base slab for the second half of the underground bus facility (Wewatta Street to west side of building). The bridges that support the commuter rail train tracks over the bus structure will take shape as abutments and columns are added.
- Crews continue to install the concrete unit pavers in the plaza area. The placement of the pavers will be in progress for several more weeks.
- Work on 16th Street between Wewatta and Wynkoop Streets will be complete on the north side and move to the south side in a few weeks. When the 16th Street Free Mall Ride buses move to the north side of 16th Street, pedestrian access will remain on the south side.
- Multiple construction activities are in the works in front of the historic station; however, the building will remain open with a designated area for pedestrian access. On the north side, crews work on the construction of 18th Street and sidewalk, curb and gutter construction on Wynkoop Street In the south area, crews work on utilities and the reconstruction of 16th Street. Within the next month, cranes will be located in the front of DUS.
East Rail Line- Major utility and wall construction is wrapping up along one mile of the Coors Field parking lot, ahead of the start of the Colorado Rockies baseball season. Buttoned up in time for first pitch in April, the work in the parking lot will move into the alignment itself, away from the fans, during the baseball season.
- Relocation of some of the Union Pacific Railroad freight track is underway, along with construction of new rail yards.
- Building demolitions are continuing as properties are turned over to the contractor.
- Relocation of gas, water and wastewater lines continues.
- The long haul fiber optic cable relocation is nearly complete.
Gold Line - The first car shell for the commuter rail vehicles successfully underwent an 800,000-pound “squeeze” test for structural strength.
- Property acquisition is underway.
- The relocation of various utilities has begun. Over the next year, natural gas, water, wastewater and power lines will be relocated.
I-225 Rail Line - SEMA Construction Inc. was awarded the construction contract for the combined CDOT/RTD project and given a notice to proceed on March 12. A construction schedule will be finalized by the end of March.
- The I-225 and North Metro Corridor teams are preparing a request for proposal procurement package for track and systems elements construction for each project.
North Metro Rail Line- The Final Design request for proposal was released March 15 with an anticipated notice to proceed in the third quarter of 2012.
- The team continues moving forward to secure intergovernmental agreements, utility relocation agreements and right of way for segment one; meeting with local agencies, CDOT, railroads (UPRR & BNSF); and coordinating with stakeholders to discuss property impacts.
- Appraisals for right of way on segment one will begin this summer.
- Construction is estimated to begin in 2014 with train service for the first segment beginning in 2017.
Northwest Rail Line- Property acquisition, utility relocation of gas, water and wastewater lines, and demolition of several structures have begun along the first segment of the rail line to south Westminster.
- The Eagle P3 project design team is incorporating City of Westminster-funded betterments at the Westminster Station.
- On March 5, RTD staff recommended a hybrid plan that would keep the Northwest Rail Line to Longmont in the FasTracks plan, but would phase in commuter rail while implementing a bus rapid transit (BRT) system. Under this option, RTD would build rail to the Church Ranch Station in Westminster by 2022 and implement BRT by 2020. The BRT would help meet the mobility needs of residents in the area while the rail is built in incremental stages as funding becomes available.
Southeast Rail Extension- The Board approved a Locally Preferred Alternative for the project on February 21 and the team continues to work on an alternatives analysis/environmental assessment in anticipation of seeking federal funding for the project.
- The team is continuing design coordination with project stakeholders.
Southwest Rail Extension- Final Design for the relocation of Union Pacific Railroad track for development of the Southwest Extension is scheduled to begin in early 2013.
US 36 BRT- The contract for the queue jumps at McCaslin and Church Ranch Boulevards is scheduled to be advertised in April with notice to proceed anticipated for June. The project will take six months to build.
- CDOT, assisted by RTD staff, chose Ames/Granite Joint Venture team as the design-build contractor for the managed lanes to 88th Street (approximately 1.5 miles west of Interlocken/96th Street). The project is scheduled to begin this summer and wrap up by Dec. 31, 2014, which is ahead of schedule by about six months.
- In February, the High-Performance Transportation Enterprise released a request for qualifications to extend the managed lanes to Table Mesa.
West Rail Line- Seven of the 12 traction-powered substations have been set.
- Crews are finalizing track installation under the Union Tunnel.
- Canopies and shelters are currently being set on top of the Wadsworth Bridge.
- Drainage improvements will require the closure of Harlan Street between 11th and 13th Avenues for approximately the next two months.
- Construction began on the Wadsworth parking structure with erosion control and grading. A public meeting was held on March 1 to update the community on both Wadsworth and Sheridan Structures.
- The groundbreaking for the Lakewood•Wadsworth Parking Structure is scheduled for Wed., April 11 at 10 a.m.
- Station construction continues throughout the corridor.
Want More Information?
If you would like to schedule a FasTracks presentation for your organization, please contact the FasTracks Public Information Team at 303-299-6990. Also, check out the FasTracks website at
www.rtd-fastracks.com.
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