During the month of January the Railroads, and the Line Segment Contractors continued with grading, bridge construction, and the relocation of the mainlines.

The Railroads began relocating the existing southbound track from Mineral Avenue north into the Interlock and began the removal of the old alignment which allowed the start of the LRT grading in the area south of Phillips 66 to Mineral Avenue. In January, the UPRR completed the relocation of the southbound from Evans Avenue south to the Hampden Avenue Freight Bridge. This includes finalizing the shoofly for the UPRR southbound track from Evans Avenue to south of Oxford Avenue, bypassing the Hampden and Oxford freight structures. The BNSF is progressing with their relocation of the northbound tracks in this same segment. The BNSF has also shifted their northbound track south of the Iowa Flyover to allow the completion of the southern MSE walls.

Line Segment 1:

The Contractor began working on the Littleton Station Platform and the catenary poles behind Wall "J". Work is progressing with the freight grading for the Electron Lead from Big Dry Creek to just south of Belleview Avenue. The removal of the existing Littleton Interlock and signal system is still needed to complete the final freight grading.

Line Segment 2:

The Contractor began work on Lee Gulch this period after getting the Railroadís approval for the shoring. Grading work from the south end of the project to the Littleton Depression also began this month. Progress on the Tufts Flyover continues (see photo to the left).

Line Segment 3:

The Hampden Freight Bridge method of repair was approved in January. The approved method will be a hydro demolition, which will expose more of the cut reinforcement steel that will be respliced. In January, the Contractor finished the abutments for the Oxford LRT Bridge and five of the six girders were set. The final girder is being recast due to its quality. The remaining girders are presently being re-inspected prior to the setting of the final girder. The abutment for the Hampden LRT Bridge is still under construction.

(The photo below to the right is of the Hampden Freight Bridge. The photo below to the left is of the Oxford LRT Bridge construction in Line Segment 3.)

Line Segment 4:

Girders for the Iowa LRT structure were set in January, along with the backwalls, the wingwalls, and the center deck (see photo to the left). LRT grading was complete with the installation of ductbanks from the I-25 and Broadway Station to Florida Avenue. Work progressed on the Iowa Flyover south MSE Wall (as seen in the photo below).

LRT Trackwork:

In January Track 9,10, and 11 were completed in the Operations Facility site. The Contractor has begun LRT track work in Line Segment 4. The submittal process continues for all items included in the contract.

Railroad Relocation:

During the month of January, the Railroads continued on the relocation of the mainlines. The BNSF continues to work on the middle track alignment in the Interlock location. In January the UPRR completed the relocation of the southbound track from Evans Avenue to the Hampden Freight Bridge. Both Railroads are finalizing the shoo-fly south of Evans to accommodate the delays to the Hampden Freight Bridge.

Both Railroads are also finalizing the new northbound and southbound tracks from Evans Avenue south to the new Dartmouth Freight Bridge. Presently the northbound BNSF has been shifted just north of Evans to accommodate the construction of the Hampden Station.

LRT Signals/Communications:

The Contractor began work on the OCS and Traction Power substation submittals. Purchase orders for major material items are being prepared and issued. RTD is currently reviewing a value engineering proposal from the Contractor to use electric coded rail for the signal system. A decision will be made in February. Preliminary layout of cases and identification of basic materials and components are under way.

Operations Facility Yard Expansion:

The contract is in the process of being closed out and issued final acceptance once all punch list items have been completed.

Electrification/Traction Power Substations:

In January, the Contractor continued work on the product submittals. PSCo is working on a temporary OCS work plan with Siemens for the I-25 and Broadway segment.

Priority Signal System Installation:

Work continues with the City and County of Denver (CCD) and the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) as the consultant is preparing for final design work. The final design is anticipated to be complete by summer and construction complete by the end of the year.