CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

"It's beginning to look like a railroad out there…"

Civil and Stations Improvements Contract - Every light rail rider who comes into Downtown from the south has noticed the progress, if only subliminally, that has occurred on the Central Platte Valley Light Rail project over the past month. During the weekend of October 20-21 the first special trackwork was installed in the Central Corridor tracks. The Light Rail shutdown went off without a hitch. Light Rail operations commenced after the installation to allow safety testing well in advance of the first commuters of the morning on Monday, October 22. Additional weekend shutdowns on November 3-4 and November 10-11 should complete the tie-in between the Central Corridor and the Central Platte Valley Light Rail extension.

Track installation between Invesco Field at Mile High Station and Auraria West Station has progressed well during October. The rail installation contractor has now completed track from Cherry Creek south to behind the Auraria Reprographics building. Soon, they plan to work two crews, one continuing southwards, and one working to the north across Cherry Creek towards Union Station.

Electrification work is continuing from Cherry Creek southwards. Heavy electrical cables are being pulled through the buried conduits into the electrical vaults. These cables will feed electricity to the overhead contact wires that power the light rail vehicles. Above ground, the installation of catenary pole arms, which hold the overhead wires, will begin soon from Cherry Creek southwards. The three traction-power substations that will feed electricity to the alignment are in place and being energized and tested.

Underground utility installation is now virtually complete. The electricians are concentrating on signal/communication work throughout the corridor. The complicated task of connecting signal/communication wiring and equipment will be continuing until the completion of the project.

Station shelters have been erected at the Pepsi Center/ Six Flags, Invesco Field at Mile High, and Auraria Stations, and windscreen masonry has been started at Auraria Station. These architectural components add aesthetics to the stations and when complete, will give a finishing touch to the stations.

Work at Union Station has progressed well. The Barrel Vault structure has been erected and foundations for other platform shelters have been installed. Work in the tunnel is progressing and the addition of the east end work will tie the tunnel together and make it a very special area.

The construction contractor has been working most weekends to maintain the aggressive schedule for completion of the project. Recently, Walnut Street was closed to traffic to allow work over Friday night/Saturday to install the rail crossing there. Impact to traffic and pedestrians was limited and the area was opened on Saturday evening to allow access for the Bronco's home game on Sunday.