RTD plans to complete emergency repairs and restore E Line light rail service prior to the new year

Emergency work is underway at the Yale Street bridge following a fuel tanker crash on Thanksgiving

DENVER (Dec. 4, 2025) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is aiming to resume full E Line light rail service prior to Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, once critical structural repair work has been completed. The agency’s Yale Street light rail bridge was damaged when it was struck by a fuel tanker on Thanksgiving, resulting in E Line trains only being able to operate over the bridge on a single track.

The single-track operation means trains must first wait for the vehicle ahead of them to clear the alignment before proceeding across the bridge. E Line trains south of Southmoor Station are running every 15 minutes and operating every 30 minutes between Southmoor Station and Denver Union Station. The current modified service schedule will be lifted once structural repairs have been completed and RTD is able to use both sets of tracks on the bridge.

The agency is working with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and City and County of Denver to obtain all required permits and safely complete the work using an accelerated schedule. Due to the tanker leaking fuel following the crash, RTD is also collaborating with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) on cleanup efforts at the site.

The emergency repair work includes completing an X-ray of the structure, removing damaged wall panels, reinforcing precast panels, and backfilling the concrete. After the structural repairs have been made, the bridge will be fully inspected. Non-critical aesthetic work to the bridge will start after light rail service has resumed on both sets of track. To ensure the emergency repairs are completed in a timely manner, RTD is incurring the initial costs and will then work through the insurance process.

While the emergency repair work is underway, the following light services are in place:

• E Line service between Southmoor and Denver Union Station will operate every 30 minutes.
• E Line service between RidgeGate Parkway Station and Southmoor Station will operate every 15 minutes.
• Customers traveling beyond Southmoor Station in either direction will need to transfer to a different E Line train at the platform.
• The H Line is running on a 30-minute frequency between Florida Station and Southmoor Station.

Customers are encouraged to sign up for Service Alerts or check RTD's website for bus and rail schedules. Customer Care agents are available seven days a week by calling 303.299.6000 and can assist with trip planning.

At approximately 1 p.m. on Nov. 27, a fuel tanker crashed into RTD’s Yale Street bridge in Denver. The tanker was the only vehicle involved, and the crash resulted in fuel being spilled on the roadway. Multiple agencies and emergency personnel responded to the accident, and light rail service was temporarily suspended in the area. The Yale Station was closed following the crash but reopened to customers the following day.