RTD completes the first phase of its downtown rail project weeks ahead of schedule

RTD has completed the first phase of its downtown rail reconstruction work three weeks ahead of schedule. The multi-phased rail project, which began in early June, will resume reconstruction work in 2025. Intersections and pedestrian crossings that were previously impacted by the project have now opened, and all RTD-related traffic detours were lifted this afternoon.

The first phase of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project focused on reconstructing light rail track and infrastructure at five key intersections in the Downtown Loop. The project was initially scheduled to run through mid-September and conclude ahead of RTD’s service changes on Sept. 29. The subsequent phases of the project will begin in 2025, and a final timeline is in development stage.

Between June and August, crews completed a full-depth reconstruction of the intersections at Broadway and Welton, as well as the at-grade rail crossings of 15th and 17th streets with California and Stout streets. Each stage of the summer project was successfully completed on time or ahead of schedule. This major reconstruction project was the first of its kind in RTD’s history and focused on investing in the agency’s oldest rail infrastructure. The multi-phased project will improve safety and mobility along the 30-year-old alignment. Light rail service first began in Denver on Oct. 7, 1994.

Even though this year's reconstruction work has been completed in the Downtown Loop, light rail service will not return to Denver’s Central Business District until Sept. 29. At that time, RTD will implement its approved service changes across bus and rail network, to increase reliability, improve on-time performance, and resume routes and lines impacted by the downtown project. Service changes are also undertaken by RTD to enable represented staff, including bus operators, rail operators, and train engineers, to select work shifts. Employee schedules have already been set through the end of September.

Ahead of the changes on Sept. 29, RTD will also continue its preventative maintenance work and repairs along the D, E, H, and R lines. Agency staff will additionally perform planned maintenance to its overhead electrical wires.

Current Service Impacts

The following service impacts will remain in effect until Sept. 29:

• D and H line trains will continue to reroute to Denver Union Station
• L Line service will continue its temporary suspension, and Bus Route 43 will serve as an alternative for access from the 30th•Downing Station to the Downtown Loop
• RTD will continue to temporarily provide the Free MetroRide service 
• RTD’s Free MallRide service will run between Denver Union Station and Champa Street on 15th and 17th streets
• Bus Route 0L will also provide all-day connections between I-25•Broadway and Civic Center stations
• More information about current RTD's services is available online