Denver breaks ground on pedestrian bridge connecting N Line station to the National Western Center
Bridge from 48th and Brighton·National Western Center Station to the National Western Center campus will connect Globeville and Elyria-Swansea communities
On Friday, Nov. 13, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) joined transportation, civic, and community leaders to celebrate the start of construction by the City and County of Denver on a long-anticipated pedestrian bridge connecting 48th and Brighton•National Western Center Station and the National Western Center campus.
The project marks a major milestone in ongoing efforts to expand access to education, employment, cultural experiences, and regional mobility, while strengthening connections between the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea communities.
Spanning RTD's N Line commuter rail corridor and adjacent BNSF Railway tracks, the bridge will provide a safe, convenient, and direct pedestrian connection between the commuter rail station and the rapidly growing National Western Center campus. Once completed, the structure will eliminate a long-standing barrier and strengthen links between neighborhoods, educational opportunities, jobs, cultural destinations, and regional transit.
The bridge fulfills a vision that dates back to early planning for the N Line and the redevelopment of the National Western Center. The primary rationale for constructing the 48th and Brighton•National Western Center Station was to support the transformation of the National Western campus while improving access for residents of nearby communities. Today, the station serves as a gateway to a destination that is becoming a year-round hub for agriculture, education, entertainment, and innovation.
“When the N Line opened, 48th and Brighton•National Western Center Station was built to connect people to the National Western Center and to the neighborhoods around it,” said RTD Deputy CEO Angel Peña. “This bridge fulfills that promise with a safe, direct, and accessible connection for customers, residents, and the thousands of visitors who come here every year. Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea have long been divided by highways and rail lines, and this is another step toward bringing them together. Thank you to the City and County of Denver, the National Western Center, BNSF Railway, and the community members who kept this vision alive, and to the RTD teams who will keep N Line service running safely throughout construction.”
For residents of Globeville and Elyria-Swansea, the project also represents another step toward reconnecting communities that have long been separated by highways, rail corridors, and industrial infrastructure. Federal, regional, and local partners have identified improved access to transit and economic opportunity as key goals of broader community revitalization efforts in north Denver.
The pedestrian bridge is expected to enhance access for thousands of visitors attending events at the National Western Center, including the annual National Western Stock Show, while making it easier for residents and workers to travel between the campus, nearby neighborhoods, and downtown Denver via RTD's N Line.
Major construction activity begins Nov. 16 and will continue through late 2027. Throughout construction, RTD's N Line commuter rail service will continue operating, with project partners coordinating closely to ensure safety for customers, rail operations, and construction crews.
When completed, the bridge will stand as both a transportation improvement and a symbol of connection, fulfilling a commitment to link communities, expand access, and create a more connected future for north Denver.
