The Proposal - Part 'A'
The Urban Signature Line
will be Denver's 'signature' line... duh.
Estimated cost for the 8-miles of new light rail at $150 million per mile =
$1.2 billion.
To review, the line will run from approximately Civic Center Station down So. Broadway to the I-25/Broadway Station. The more notable part is along Speer Blvd through Cherry Creek, then along Leetsdale Dr to the SEC of Parker Rd/Mississippi Ave and the High Line Canal Trail. Anticipating grade separations at University, Colorado Blvd, Monaco Pkwy and possibly Quebec and the end of the line Plus the possible need for ROW acquisition using $150 million per mile will hopefully be realistic.
The Boulevard Light Rail Line
The more I thought about this, the more this just made too much sense not to do for many reasons.
Estimated cost for the 7.5-miles of new light rail at ~$125 million per mile =
$950 million (rounded up).
The
Boulevard Line is to run along Colorado Blvd from the
Colorado Station (at I-25) to the
40th and Colorado Station 'A' line stop. I don't see any need for grade separation which leads to lower costs per mile for this line.
BRT is busting out all over
along Federal Blvd then West Colfax Ave and lastly Havana Street.
Estimating costs at a generous $250 million per corridor =
$750 million.
Note: these corridors are for the Full Monty, Real Deal centerline BRT. Opportunities for enhanced bus service are a whole other, later topic.
Grand Total: equals
$2.9 billion for the above proposed projects.
Bonus Note: I have in mind a 2.5 mile east-west light rail segment that while ingenious and strategically amazing may be seen as a bit funky so we'll hold that as a bonus surprise.