AnnouncementRail

RTD eliminates the D Line’s last remaining speed restriction

RTD Staff

DENVER (April 18, 2025) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has eliminated its final speed restriction along the D Line, and light rail trains have now resumed regular speeds along the corridor. Earlier this week, maintenance crews installed approximately 300 feet of rail along the D Line, between Littleton•Downtown and Littleton•Mineral stations, allowing for the agency to remove the speed restriction. 

On April 3, RTD announced an updated timeline that targeted lifting all remaining speed restrictions next month. The adjusted timeline takes into account work delays caused by inclement weather and the availability of third-party contractors. With today’s announcement, two of the four light rail speed restriction zones have now been successfully eliminated from the system. In October 2024, RTD lifted all speed restrictions in Slow Zone #2.

Current service impacts for customers traveling end-to-end along the two remaining corridors reflect an up-to-five-minute addition in trip times. RTD’s light rail speed restrictions webpage has been updated to reflect today’s announcement.

Track Inspections

In 2024, RTD implemented a more robust standard for regularly inspecting the agency’s more than 120 miles of light rail track. The agency adheres to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) standards for the periodic inspection and maintenance of transit tracks. APTA’s standards, which RTD began using last May, include visual, electrical, and mechanical inspections of components that affect safe and reliable rail operations, as well as standards for implementing necessary speed restrictions.

APTA’s standards outline the required qualifications for rail employees or contractors who perform inspections and complete maintenance tasks. RTD’s light rail inspections are conducted annually, quarterly, monthly, and twice weekly, depending on the type of inspection being performed.

Due to RTD’s aging rail infrastructure, temporary speed restrictions will continue to be implemented in the future, when necessary and warranted, following regular track inspections.

Written by RTD Staff
Slow-Zone
Rail map shows slow zones: southbound between Yale and Southmoor, both directions just north of Yale, southbound between Dayton and Southmoor on H Line, and both directions between Dayton and Southmoor on R Line.
Rail graphic shows slow zones: southbound between Yale and Southmoor, both directions just north of Yale, southbound between Dayton and Southmoor on H Line, and both directions between Dayton and Southmoor on R Line.