RTD

West rail line facts

Length (miles): 12.1
Vehicle Type: Light Rail
Stations: 12
Parking: 5,605 new parking spaces
Frequency of Service:
- Denver to Federal Center: 7.5 min (peak)/15 min (off-peak)
- Federal Center to Jefferson County: 15 min (peak and off-peak)

The West Rail Line is part of FasTracks – RTD’s voter-approved multi-year comprehensive plan to expand quality transit service in the Denver metro region.
The West Rail Line is a 12.1-mile light rail transit corridor extending from Denver Union Station to Jefferson County, through Denver, Lakewood and Golden.
The West Rail Line has 11 new stations including Decatur/Federal, Knox, Perry, Sheridan, Lamar, Lakewood • Wadsworth, Garrison, Oak, Federal Center, Red Rocks College and Jefferson County Government Center • Golden. It also serves four existing stations along the Central Platte Valley Cooridor: Auraria West, Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Pepsi Center-Elitch Gardens, and Union Station.

The West Rail Line Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) began in 2001 and identified impacts on the community and environment, as well as mitigation measures.
The Final EIS was issued in fall 2003, and a Record of Decision from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) was received in spring 2004.
In November 2004, the FasTracks initiative was passed by voters, providing funding for a regional rapid transit system, including the West Rail Line.
In early 2007, the West Rail Line project team conducted an internal Value Engineering (VE) exercise to look at ways the project could be more efficient and cost-effective. As a result, FTA requested that an Environmental Assessment (EA) be completed to fully identify and document any impacts of VE.
The West Rail Line project received a Full Funding Grant Agreement from FTA on Jan. 16, 2009.
RTD signed the Notice to Proceed to the construction contractor on June 16, 2009.
Major construction began in 2009 with the line opening April 26, 2013.

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