Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project
Upcoming Projects in 2026
RTD continues to enhance and expand the agency’s system to better serve customers.The Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project is part of a portfolio of more than 60 planned infrastructure investments for 2026. For more information, visit RTD’s Infrastructure Investments webpage.
Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project
In May 2024, RTD began a multi-year project to reconstruct its oldest light rail infrastructure. This major reconstruction project is the first of its kind in RTD’s history and will ensure the long-term integrity of the network. Light rail service began in Denver on October 7, 1994, with 5.3 miles of track connecting 30th Avenue and Downing Street to Interstate 25 and Broadway. Much of today’s downtown track infrastructure, commonly referred to as the Downtown Loop, has been in place since the line was first constructed and opened for service. This original section of track has expanded over the years to now serve 10 rail stations on the D, H, and L lines, with street-level trains operating adjacent to pedestrians and vehicular traffic. More than 300 light rail trains circle the Downtown Loop every day, so it is critically important RTD maintain this asset in a state of good repair for the next 30 years.
Project Overview
Project Timeline
The numbering of RTD’s four project phases does not necessarily correspond to their order of importance, and work will be completed out of numerical sequence. The four phases were developed to denote the specific sections of rail that will be reconstructed throughout this multi-year project. During each phase of the project, light rail services in the Downtown Loop will be impacted.
The four project areas denote the specific sections of rail that will be reconstructed throughout this multi-year project.
Rail Service Maps
Effective June 7, 2026
Effective Jan 4-June 6, 2026
Project Areas
Five Key Intersections
Timeline: Completed in 2024
The Five Key Intersections of RTD’s Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project were successfully completed ahead of schedule on August 29, 2024. This part of the project focused on reconstructing light rail track and infrastructure at five intersections in the Downtown Loop:
- Broadway and Welton
- 15th and California streets
- 15th and Stout streets
- 17th and California streets
- 17th and Stout streets
Each intersection received a full-depth reconstruction to improve safety and mobility, address deteriorating transit infrastructure, and protect the agency’s investment in its key transportation assets.
Downtown Loop Midblocks
Timeline: Summer 2026 - Early 2027
This part of the project will focus on a full-depth reconstruction of the rail segments between the intersections where work was completed in 2024. D, H, and L line trains will be impacted.
Kalamath Crossing and Colfax Alignment
Work Area Overview
This part of the project will focus on a full-depth reconstruction of the light rail track that runs parallel to Colfax. It does not include any segments of track near the Colorado Convention Center, as they were subject to previous targeted repairs.
- Part A: Kalamath Crossing
- Part B: Colfax Alignment
Kalamath Street Crossing Timeline: Completed November 2025
Work to fully reconstruct a segment of light rail track adjacent to the Colfax at Auraria Station that crosses southbound Kalamath Street was successfully completed. The 86-day project began Sept. 2, 2025, and wrapped up Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. Temporary maintenance was previously completed in 2024 to stabilize the rail base until a full-depth reconstruction of the crossing could be completed.
Week-by-week Kalamath Crossing Reports
Colfax Avenue Alignment Timeline: summer 2026 – early 2027
Work on the Colfax Avenue Alignment area will commence in 2026. This work will include a full-depth reconstruction of the track that runs adjacent to Colfax, near the Auraria Campus.
Welton Street Corridor
Timeline: 2027
The final area of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project will include a full-depth reconstruction of the existing light rail track along the Welton Corridor, between the Welton and Broadway intersection and RTD’s 30th•Downing Station. This work will evaluate station accessibility and replace high blocks at existing L Line stations.
Project Updates
RTD is committed to providing information about project timelines, service disruptions, local impacts, general progress and more. Regular project updates will resume ahead of the next phase of active work. If you have a question about the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project, please contact us at the email or phone number below:
Project email: [email protected]
Project Information Line: 720-902-8817
Customer Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to frequently asked questions about the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project
Frequently Asked QuestionsService Alerts
RTD encourages customers to sign up for Service Alerts to receive text and email notifications about future and real-time disruptions that impact specific bus routes, rail line, stop or station.
Subscribe for UpdatesNext Ride
Customers are also encouraged to use the Next Ride web app to plan trips, view active Service Alerts, and see bus and train locations in real time.
Access Next Ride HereCustomer Care
For additional route and schedule information, or questions on impacts to service, RTD’s Customer Care agents are available 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays by calling 303.299.6000. For Spanish, press 2. For assistance in all other languages, please tell the Information Specialist what language you speak and stay on the phone while they connect to an interpreter.
Request a Translation
Need RTD materials translated into a specific language beyond Spanish? To the extent possible, RTD will provide the translation that you need! Click here.