Rail reconstruction on 15th Street finishes on schedule

RTD completed a significant portion of the agency’s Downtown Rail Replacement Project Tuesday, Aug. 6, progressing this year’s work past the 50% mark.

Following complete reconstruction of the light rail tracks on 15th Street at the intersections of Stout and California in under three weeks, the intersections were reopened to traffic on schedule and ahead of Tuesday’s evening rush hour. Now, just two of the five intersections to be reconstructed this summer in the Downtown Loop remain to be completed.

Crews move to the 17th Street intersections at Stout and California on Monday, Aug. 12 to complete the third and final segment of Downtown Rail work for this year. Construction at the 17th Street intersections is expected to last approximately three weeks.

“Rail reconstruction in the downtown area has been running smoothly, and we look forward to completing the first of four phases of the project in the coming weeks. The improvements made at these intersections are intended to improve safety and prolong the life of the rail for another 30 years,” said Aprajit “Jeet” Desai, RTD project manager for the Downtown Rail Construction Project.

Future phases of the project will begin in 2025 with improvements planned for midblock areas in the Downtown Loop, Colfax Avenue and the Welton Street corridor.

Upcoming Traffic Impacts & Detour Information

• Work will occur simultaneously at the intersections of 17th/Stout streets and 17th/California streets
• 17th Street will be closed between California Street and the alley directly to the east, and between Stout Street and the alley directly to the west
• At least one lane will remain open on Stout and California streets at 17th Street
• Welton Street will continue to operate as a one-way street with two northbound lanes between 15th and 17th streets to accommodate additional traffic
• Sidewalks and crosswalks will be closed on the east side of California Street and the west side of Stout Street
• Alley, parking lot, loading dock and parking structure access will remain open
• All business access will remain open

Train Service Impacts

• All D and H Line trains are currently rerouted to Denver Union Station
• L Line service is suspended, and Bus Route 34 serves as an alternative for access from 30th·Downing Station to the Downtown Loop
• RTD has temporarily reinstated the Free MetroRide to expand transit across downtown Denver with all-day, fare-free service along 18th and 19th streets, seven days a week
• Through fall, RTD’s Free MallRide service will only run between Union Station and Champa Street on 15th and 17th streets. Customers planning to travel to and from Civic Center Station are encouraged to use the Free MetroRide
• Bus Route 0L provides all-day connections seven days a week between I-25·Broadway and Civic Center stations

More information about service changes is available here

All construction activities are schedule- and weather-dependent and subject to change.

About the Project

RTD’s Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project serves to improve five intersections in downtown Denver that are at-grade crossings for the agency’s D, H and L light rail lines. This work is part of a full-depth reconstruction of the Downtown Loop segment of RTD’s light rail track, which has been in place since service first began in 1994. Replacing this section is necessary to improve safety and mobility, address deteriorating transit infrastructure and extend the life of a crucial piece of Denver’s public transportation system.

Visit the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project webpage for more information about the project and to sign up for text and email notifications about future and real-time rail and bus service impacts. The public is also encouraged to use RTD’s Next Ride app to plan trips, view active Service Alerts and see bus and train locations in real-time.