Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project

The following activities were safely and successfully completed this week:

• Pre-construction work began at the Kalamath Street light rail crossing
• Placement of advance warning variable message signs (VMS)
• Track materials inventory
• Underground utility location for RTD-owned utilities
• Pre-construction surveying

Additionally, crews began work to repair and upgrade platform signage at the Colfax at Auraria Station.

Project Status Report: Week 1

The following work and activities were safely and successfully completed this week:

• Temporary construction fencing and overhead catenary wire protection were put in place
• Equipment, materials, and temporary facilities, including portable restrooms, were brought to work site
• Installation of project information banners near the work site
• Non-RTD utilities were located
• All necessary permits were obtained
• Community outreach meetings were held, and the project webpage was updated
• A project hotline was established for the public to share their concerns and ask questions, and the phone number is 720.902.8817

Additionally, coordination with Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) took place on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and Wednesday, Sept. 10, to finalize demolition limits and review traffic and train signal equipment. Sidewalk access along Kalamath Street and near the Colfax at Auraria Station will remain open until Monday, Sept. 15. At that time, pedestrian detours will begin.

Project Status Report: Week 2

The following work and activities were safely and successfully completed:

• Demolition began, starting at the Colfax at Auraria Station
• Crews completed saw cutting
• Removal of concrete and the rubber flangeway filler
• Rail cutting began
• RTD Transit Police assisted pedestrians to navigate the detours safely

Pedestrian, bike, and vehicle detours went into effect Monday morning, closing the right two lanes of Kalamath Street and the two pedestrian crossings. RTD inspectors observed a significant number of pedestrians walking around the construction closure into Kalamath Street rather than following the posted detour routes. To address this issue, crews posted additional advance warning signs, made adjustments to the construction fence layout, and received on-site support from RTD Transit Police to help guide pedestrians to the appropriate routes.

Project Status Report: Week 3

The following work and activities were safely and successfully completed September 20-26, 2025:

• Demolition work continued on the east and west sides of southbound Kalamath Street this week, with removals of rail, ties, and ballast.
• Track under-drains were repaired, new materials for track reconstruction were delivered to the site and important quality milestones for subgrade preparation were completed.
• Despite some inclement weather, work on site remains on schedule.

Project Status Report: Week 4

Phase One of RTD’s Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project was successfully completed ahead of schedule on August 29, 2024. The first phase focused on reconstructing light rail track and infrastructure at five key intersections in the Downtown Loop:

• Broadway and Welton
• 15th and California streets
• 15th and Stout streets
• 17th and California streets
• 17th and Stout streets

Each intersection received a full-depth reconstruction to improve safety and mobility, address deteriorating transit infrastructure, and protect the agency’s investment in its key transportation assets.

Phase Two will focus on a full-depth reconstruction of the rail segments between the intersections where work was completed in 2024. D, H, and L line trains will be impacted.

Phase Three will focus on a full-depth reconstruction of the light rail track that runs parallel to Colfax. It does not include any segments of track near the Colorado Convention Center, as they were subject to previous targeted repairs.

• Phase Three – Part A: Kalamath Crossing
• Phase Three – Part B: Colfax Alignment

This phase of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project will be subdivided into two separate windows, with crews first addressing the at-grade crossing at Kalamath Street. Work on the Kalamath Street Crossing is planned to commence on Tuesday, September 2, and work will end on or before Thursday, November 27.

Kalamath Street Crossing

Temporary maintenance was previously completed in 2024 to stabilize the rail base until a full-depth reconstruction of the crossing could be completed.

Planned Service Disruptions
During this phase of the project, all D Line trains will be rerouted to Denver Union Station. The H Line will be truncated to Southmoor Station, and customers continuing downtown will need to connect to an E Line train. The E and H lines will maintain 15-minute frequencies to support customer transfers. The L Line will be temporarily suspended during the project, and bus Route 43 will provide customers with continued connections along the corridor.

Work along the remaining light rail track in Phase Three will commence in 2026. This subsection of the phase will include a full-depth reconstruction of the track that runs adjacent to Colfax, near the Auraria Campus.

The final phase of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project will include a full-depth reconstruction of the existing light rail track along the Welton Corridor, between the Welton and Broadway intersection and RTD’s 30th•Downing Station. This phase will evaluate station accessibility and replace high blocks at existing L Line stations.