Rail Project FAQs

The Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project features full-depth replacement of rail that has served RTD’s central downtown corridor for 30 years. This major construction initiative will improve safety and reliability on the light rail system.

Managing and maintaining assets in a state of good repair ensures the long-term integrity of the rail network for all individuals who entrust RTD to deliver them to their destinations. After more than 30 years, RTD is investing in its oldest rail infrastructure to ensure the long-term integrity of the network. The paved sections of track in the downtown loop are underneath concrete so the rails and ballast rock beneath the rails are more difficult to maintain. Years of increasing vehicular and train traffic, along with chemicals like deicing salts, have taken a toll on the downtown tracks, making this project a priority. RTD and Denver are working together to minimize impacts to customers and the public. The agencies are collaborating on best practices for maintaining access through the crossings while minimizing disruption for downtown businesses, transit customers and the public.

This major reconstruction project is the first of its kind in RTD’s history. Previous rail-related construction projects were aimed at specific segment enhancements and repairs. For instance, during previous projects, RTD prioritized high-risk areas like switches and at-grade rail crossings, completing one or two projects per year.

During the planned maintenance work in 2025, RTD will focus on maintaining customers’ connections to and from their destinations with as little disruption as possible. The following options are available to support rail customers who may be temporarily impacted by the planned reconstruction work:

• All D Line trains will be rerouted to Denver Union Station, and customers can easily connect to the Downtown Loop using the 16th Street FreeRide or Free MetroRide. The FreeRide runs approximately every five minutes, seven days a week, and the MetroRide runs every 10 minutes during peak service times, Mondays through Fridays. D Line trains will maintain their current, 15-minute frequencies between Littleton•Mineral Station and Denver Union Station.
• The H Line will operate between Florida and Southmoor stations, and customers traveling downtown will need to transfer to an E Line train. The E and H lines will both maintain 15-minute frequencies to support transfers at Southmoor Station.
• The L Line will be suspended during the project, and Route 43 will provide customers with continued connections along the downtown corridor.
• Bus Route 16 and Route ART also provide alternate service to the Colfax at Auraria Station. Bus stops near the project will remain open and operational during the reconstruction work. 

RTD is dedicated to providing safe and accessible services, preserving a reliable transit infrastructure, supporting previous investments, and extending design life of agency assets. The downtown area will remain accessible by transit during all phases of construction. Customers and the public will still have access to transit, businesses and downtown events during the construction project. RTD’s website and apps are the best ways for customers to plan a trip and reach their downtown destinations.

RTD is working with numerous downtown partners and the media to provide advanced information and communications about the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project. In advance of the work, RTD will craft clear messages highlighting the benefits of the project and its impact to services by utilizing multiple communication channels and platforms. This includes in-system assets such as signage, community engagement and outreach, media relations, partner and stakeholder collaboration, web, digital, and social media. Project-specific materials and resources will be developed to explain the project details and support external engagement opportunities with customers, partners, and local stakeholders. This comprehensive no surprises approach aims to effectively manage expectations by informing and engaging customers and the community with consistent, accurate and timely communications while emphasizing the project’s long-term benefits. 

• All D Line trains will be rerouted to Denver Union Station, and customers can easily connect to the Downtown Loop using the 16th Street FreeRide or Free MetroRide. The FreeRide runs approximately every five minutes, seven days a week, and the MetroRide runs every 10 minutes during peak service times, Mondays through Fridays. D Line trains will maintain their current, 15-minute frequencies between Littleton•Mineral Station and Denver Union Station. Customers can use the D, E, or W lines at Auraria West Station to access campus.
• The H Line will operate between Florida and Southmoor stations, and customers traveling downtown will need to transfer to an E Line train. The E and H lines will both maintain 15-minute frequencies to support transfers at Southmoor Station.
• The L Line will be suspended during the project, and Route 43 will provide customers with continued connections along the downtown corridor.
• Bus Route 16 and Route ART also provide alternate service to the Colfax at Auraria Station. Bus stops near the project will remain open and operational during the reconstruction work. 

The work will be sequenced such that not all intersections will be impacted at the same time. Vehicular traffic will still be able to travel through these areas while the work is underway.

Staff considered the option of running all D, E, H, and W lines to Denver Union Station during this phase of the project. However, that would require turning 16 trains an hour at the terminal location. After assessing its feasibility and impacts to on-time performance, it was determined that the H Line will terminate at Southmoor Station, and D, E, and W lines will go to Denver Union Station. All light rail trains will maintain their current frequencies (e.g., 15 minutes).

H Line customers traveling downtown will need to transfer to an E Line train. The E and H lines will both maintain 15-minute frequencies to support transfers at Southmoor Station.

Continued Connections and Alternative Service

During the planned maintenance work, RTD will focus on maintaining customers’ connections to and from their destinations with as little disruption as possible. The following options are available to support rail customers who may be temporarily impacted by the planned reconstruction work:

• All D Line trains will be rerouted to Denver Union Station, and customers can easily connect to the Downtown Loop using the 16th Street FreeRide or Free MetroRide. The FreeRide runs approximately every five minutes, seven days a week, and the MetroRide runs every 10 minutes during peak service times, Mondays through Fridays. D Line trains will maintain their current, 15-minute frequencies between Littleton•Mineral Station and Denver Union Station.
• The H Line will operate between Florida and Southmoor stations, and customers traveling downtown will need to transfer to an E Line train. The E and H lines will both maintain 15-minute frequencies to support transfers at Southmoor Station.
• The L Line will be suspended during the project, and Route 43 will provide customers with continued connections along the downtown corridor.
• Bus Route 16 and Route ART also provide alternate service to the Colfax at Auraria Station. Bus stops near the project will remain open and operational during the reconstruction work. 

All D Line trains will be rerouted to Denver Union Station. This means that the Auraria West Station will be served by the D, E, and W lines during the reconstruction project and temporary detours.

Bus Route 16 and Route ART will continue to provide alternate service to the Colfax at Auraria Station. Bus stops near the reconstruction project will remain open and operational during the reconstruction work.