FasTracks
| Company type | Public transportation project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Regional Transportation District (RTD) |
| Headquarters | Denver , United States |
Area served | Denver metropolitan area, Colorado |
| Products | Light rail lines, commuter rail lines, bus services, transit hub development |
FasTracks represents a multibillion-dollar initiative aimed at expanding public transportation within the Denver metropolitan area in Colorado, orchestrated by the Regional Transportation District (RTD). This ambitious plan encompasses six new light rail, electric, and diesel commuter rail lines spanning a total of , alongside the development of 57 additional stations and 21,000 parking spaces. It also features a dedicated bus service linking Denver and Boulder, as well as a comprehensive renovation of Denver Union Station to function as a multimodal transit hub.
Originally set with a budget of $4.7 billion and an anticipated completion date of 2017, the project’s funding was secured through a 0.4% sales tax increase sanctioned by voters across eight RTD counties in 2004. By 2010, expenses had escalated to $6.5 billion while revenue projections dropped to $4.1 billion, pushing expected completion beyond 2050. To mitigate financial shortfalls, RTD has explored alternative funding methods including public-private partnerships.
The inaugural line to be finalized was the West Corridor light rail extending to Golden, Colorado, which commenced operations on April 26, 2013. Construction on five additional lines began by mid-2014. Two commuter rail lines launched in 2016: the East Rail Line serving Denver International Airport and a portion of the Northwest Rail Line reaching south Westminster. The I-225 Rail Line running through Aurora opened on February 24, 2017; the Gold Line to Wheat Ridge started service on April 26, 2019; and the North Metro Rail Line to Thornton became operational in 2020.
Denver Union Station underwent $200 million in improvements to act as FasTracks’ central hub for commuter and light rail services as well as bus operations. Its subterranean bus concourse with 22 bays opened on May 11, 2014, followed by the launch of dining establishments, bars, and a hotel on July 26, 2014.
Progress
Funding for FasTracks derives from federal grants, private sector investments, and a regional sales tax increase approved by voters in the Denver metropolitan area during November 2004, which took effect in January 2005.
Engineering design work for the initial West Rail Line commenced in 2006. By spring of that year, environmental impact assessments were underway for other planned lines. Several municipalities—including Denver, Boulder, Lakewood, Westminster, Thornton, Aurora, Greenwood Village, Englewood, Sheridan, and Arvada—began conducting transit-oriented development analyses around future station sites.
Serving as the program’s central node, Union Station underwent redevelopment planning and multi-modal integration studies starting in 2006.
In May 2007, it was disclosed that the project faced a $1.5 billion budget overrun. By January 2010, total projected costs had climbed to $6.5 billion—$1.8 billion above initial estimates—while sales tax revenue forecasts through 2017 were considerably lower than anticipated, resulting in a $2.45 billion funding gap.
On April 13, 2010, the RTD board decided to delay pursuing voter approval for additional sales tax increases. Without this supplementary funding source, full completion of FasTracks could be deferred until at least 2042.
A significant development occurred on August 31, 2011 when the US Department of Transportation awarded a $1 billion grant for the Eagle P3 project (covering both East and Gold commuter rail lines), representing half of its estimated $2 billion construction cost.
In March 2012, RTD selected Kiewit Infrastructure Co. to construct the I-225 Corridor line following an unsolicited proposal submission. The contract for the North Metro Line was granted in 2013 to a consortium composed of Graham Contracting Ltd., Balfour Beatty Rail Inc., and Harmon Contractors Inc. (GBBH) after evaluating several bids.
The first segment completed under FasTracks—the W Line—began service on April 26, 2013.
In November 2014, the initial commuter rail vehicles arrived from Hyundai–Rotem USA’s manufacturing facility located in Philadelphia.
Eagle Public-Private Partnership
The Eagle public–private partnership (P3) encompasses two commuter rail lines—the East Line to Denver International Airport and the Gold Line to Wheat Ridge—along with a portion of the Northwest Line extending to Westminster, plus a maintenance facility, all governed by a single contract. Denver Transit Partners, the consortium chosen by RTD, is responsible for the design, construction, financing, operation, and upkeep of these rail services.
Construction work on the Gold Line commenced on August 26, 2010. By August 2011, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood pledged $1 billion in federal funds and approved a $280 million loan to support ongoing construction efforts. As of June 2013, the project was progressing according to plan with an anticipated opening in 2016.
East Rail Line (commuter rail)
As a component of the Eagle P3 initiative, the East Rail Line is a commuter rail service connecting downtown Denver, Aurora, and Denver International Airport using electric multiple unit (EMU) trains. To minimize travel duration between downtown and the airport, the route includes only six stations. Groundbreaking occurred in August 2010, and the line officially began operations on April 22, 2016.
Gold Line (commuter rail)
The Gold Line operates as an commuter rail corridor running from Denver Union Station to Wheat Ridge via Adams County and Arvada. This line also utilizes EMU trains selected by RTD. It features seven newly constructed stations in addition to Union Station. The Gold Line opened to the public on April 26, 2019.
I-225 Corridor (light rail)
The I-225 Corridor is a light rail route passing through Aurora, connecting the Southeast Corridor with the East Line. This project includes seven new stations along with 1,800 parking spaces. Construction kicked off in spring 2012 in collaboration with CDOT; after receiving an unsolicited proposal from Kiewit Infrastructure Co., full funding was secured. The line began service on February 24, 2017.
North Metro Corridor (commuter rail)
The North Metro Corridor is a commuter rail line extending from Denver to 160th Avenue in Thornton, featuring eight stations along its path. In 2009, RTD acquired the right-of-way from Union Pacific for $117 million. Although progress was delayed due to the 2009 recession, an unsolicited proposal in 2013 allowed phased construction to proceed, with phase one completed in 2020.
Northwest Rail Corridor (commuter rail)
The Northwest Rail Corridor is a planned commuter rail line intended to connect Denver with Boulder and Longmont, incorporating seven proposed stations along a BNSF-owned right-of-way. To date, only the segment reaching Westminster Station—from Denver's Union Station to southern Westminster—has been finished as part of the Eagle P3 project. Remaining sections lack funding and are projected for completion around 2044.
Economic challenges and escalating expenses led to the "Northwest Area Mobility Study," after which RTD adopted its recommendations in 2014. Among these was an interim express bus service branded "Flatiron Flyer." In 2018, local municipalities requested RTD cost estimates for weekday peak commuter rail service extending to Longmont under a "Peak Service Plan," anticipated to accommodate approximately 1,400 daily passengers during rush hours.
West Corridor (light rail)
Initial construction on the West Corridor light rail commenced on May 16, 2007. To manage expenses, the stretch between the Federal Center and the Jefferson County Government Center was reduced to a single track. RTD highlighted that this adjustment would enhance train frequency from 15-minute intervals to every 5 minutes and enable routing adjacent to U.S. 6. Once finalized, the 12.1-mile route was named the "W Line" and inaugurated on April 26, 2013, representing the first completed segment of the FasTracks regional transit expansion initiative.
US 36 Corridor
The "Flatiron Flyer," an 18-mile express bus service, operates along US 36 connecting Denver and Boulder with six designated stops. A collaborative effort between CDOT and RTD expanded the highway by 40 feet in each direction to incorporate a high-occupancy vehicle lane, replacing earlier plans for rail transit. This development unfolded in two phases: phase one concluded in May 2010, while phase two began construction in July 2012 and opened in 2016. Portions of the roadway suffered structural failure during the summer of 2019.
Extensions (light rail)
Upcoming light rail expansions include a 2.5-mile extension of the Southwest Corridor reaching Lucent Boulevard and C-470; a 2.3-mile addition to the Southeast Corridor extending into Lone Tree, which opened in May 2019; and a short 0.8-mile link from the Central Corridor’s 30th & Downing station to the East Corridor commuter rail at 38th and Blake.
Economic growth/development
According to RTD (2012), areas surrounding transit stations experience increased transit ridership among both residents and employees, leading to reductions in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and fewer automobile trips on congested roadways, while simultaneously fostering new development.
Since its inception in 2006, RTD’s ongoing Quality of Life (QoL) study—updated every two years—tracks economic and community development metrics within neighborhoods influenced by FasTracks.
Rolling stock
By 2015, FasTracks had placed an order for 66 Hyundai Rotem Silverliner V electric multiple unit railcars operating in married pairs. Originally designed by Rotem for Philadelphia’s SEPTA Regional Rail system in 2009, RTD’s order from 2010 (units numbered 4001–4066) includes modifications such as the removal of low platform steps and installation of full-width operator cabs. Every commuter rail vehicle is outfitted with positive train control systems to ensure enhanced operational safety.
Denver Union Station Design
The redevelopment of Denver Union Station by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Denver Union Station Project Authority (DUSPA) has attracted criticism. Opponents contend that the design restricts potential future high-speed rail services and north–south passenger routes like Front Range Rail, complicates transfers for both rail and bus commuters, lacks adequate bicycle accommodations and an intercity bus terminal, and operates as a stub-end terminal that limits intercity rail expansion possibilities. Additional concerns focus on escalating costs that could jeopardize completion of originally voter-approved FasTracks lines. In 2009, the Colorado Rail Passenger Association filed suit against the Federal Transportation Administration over omissions in DUSPA’s Environmental Impact Statement that failed to incorporate community feedback.
Eminent domain
The Regional Transportation District has exercised eminent domain authority to obtain properties necessary for its transportation initiatives, which has led to opposition from multiple property owners impacted by the FasTracks expansion efforts.
Federal Station relocation
RTD proposed shifting the Gold Line Federal Station from its originally approved location on the east side of Federal Boulevard to the west side. This proposal faced resistance from some community members who contended that the relocation primarily favored a private developer owning land near the west side and that revitalization efforts would be more effective if centered on the east side. RTD supported placing the station on the west due to better accessibility and concerns regarding the east side’s history as a former landfill site.
On December 15, 2010, RTD announced that the station would stay on the east side after Adams County Commissioners retracted their endorsement for the west-side move. This reversal followed pressure from residents opposing increased density and commercial development plans proposed by the nearby private developer.
Indefinite Northwest Rail Line delay
The initial FasTracks plan approved by voters included a 41-mile commuter rail route extending from Denver Union Station to Longmont, traversing North Denver, Adams County, Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville, and Boulder. The service was originally slated to begin in late 2014 or early 2015 with 58 daily trains, expanding to 84 by 2025; however, due to reduced tax revenue and escalating expenses, completion has been postponed until 2044.
In January 2016, RTD launched "Flatiron Flyer," an express bus service running along US 36 between Denver and Boulder in high-occupancy toll lanes adjacent to the planned rail corridor. The consolidation of express routes met criticism from Boulder residents because while frequency increased on some routes, others with fewer stops experienced reductions. The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) did not classify Flatiron Flyer as true bus rapid transit because it operates in mixed traffic with private vehicles, lacks street-level boarding platforms, and does not utilize off-board fare payment.
A legislative amendment in 2016 permitted Flatiron Flyer buses to travel on highway shoulders during peak congestion times, improving operational efficiency starting May 1 of that year.
See also
External links
- The Transit Alliance – A non-profit group promoting expanded rail and bus transit options within the Denver metropolitan region.