RTD lifts speed restrictions following a three-day maintenance window
E and H line trains have resumed normal speeds between three stations along the Southeast Corridor
DENVER (Jan. 31, 2025) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has removed all northbound and southbound speed restrictions between the University of Denver and Yale stations, and light rail trains are back to operating at normal speeds along this section of the Southeast Corridor. Earlier this week, RTD extended its overnight maintenance window to a three-day period to expedite repairs and remove remaining speed restrictions. Customers will notice significant improvements in their overall travel time along the E and H lines.
During the three-day period, crews were able to complete planned maintenance work and lift two of the three remaining speed restrictions in Slow Zone #1. One temporary speed restriction remains in place on a section of the southbound track between Yale and Southmoor stations.
“RTD appreciates customers’ patience while maintenance crews worked tirelessly to complete all necessary repairs,” said Debra A. Johnson, General Manager and CEO. “This work is essential to safeguard taxpayers’ investments in the transit network and ensure the system is maintained in a state of good repair. The agency made significant progress over the last month to address its speed restrictions during two separate extended maintenance windows, which allowed crews to safely work around the clock without train movement limiting repairs. Crews will leverage similar efforts in the future to address the remaining speed restrictions currently in place on the D and R lines.”
In June 2024, RTD initially implemented speed restrictions across 12 sections of track along the Southeast Corridor, which serves the E, H, and R lines. To date, 11 of the 12 initial speed restrictions have been fully lifted. Six additional restrictions implemented last July and August were also previously removed following the completion of maintenance work. In October 2024, all speed restrictions in Slow Zone #2, between Orchard and Lincoln stations, were lifted.
In May 2024, RTD began a more robust inspection process of its light rail system to identify preventive maintenance issues that may need to be proactively addressed. As areas of track are identified for maintenance, and depending on the issue, RTD implements 10 mile-per-hour speed restrictions until crews are able to complete necessary repair work. Due to RTD’s aging rail infrastructure, temporary speed restrictions will continue to be implemented in the future and lifted as track repair work is completed.
RTD’s speed restrictions webpage has more information, including illustrations, maps, photos, weekly status updates, video, and frequently asked questions. It is important to note that, in some instances, RTD’s online slow zone map shows speed restrictions going the full length between light rail stations. However, the actual length of some 10 mile-per-hour speed restrictions do not run the entirety of sections highlighted on the map.