FasTracks Update

The Denver Infill blog has reviewed the progress and scope of FasTracks, the metro area's major transit expansion initiative, which, despite financial difficulties, appears to be on track to open its West line from downtown Denver to the Jefferson County Courthouse, in 2013. Construction will start soon or is underway on other parts of the project:

By mid-2011, five of the 11 FasTracks projects will be under construction – West Corridor (groundbreaking in 2008), Denver Union Station (2010), East Corridor (2010), Gold Line (2011), and Northwest Rail Electrified Segment to 71st and Lowell (2011).

Where do those lines go:

East Corridor . . . commuter rail line connecting Downtown Denver and DIA . . .

Gold Line . . . commuter rail line connecting Downtown Denver, Adams County, Wheat Ridge, and Arvada . . .

Northwest Rail . . . commuter rail line connecting Downtown Denver, Adams County, Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville, Boulder, and Longmont[.]

In the not starting construction anytime soon category are:

North Metro . . . commuter rail line connecting Downtown Denver, Adams County, Commerce City, Northglenn, and Thornton . . .

I-225 Corridor . . . light rail line traveling along I-225 through Aurora from the existing Nine Mile Station north 10.5 miles to the future Peoria/Smith Station along Aurora’s western border with Denver. . . .

Southeast Corridor Extension . . . extension of the Southeast Corridor which opened in 2006. The extension will serve Lone Tree’s future downtown, as well as the Sky Ridge Medical Center.

Southwest Corridor Extension . . . extension of the Southwest Corridor which opened in 2000. The extension will travel south along Santa Fe Drive, through a reconfigured and reconstructed C-470/Santa Fe Drive interchange, and serve Highlands Ranch at a new park-n-Ride at Lucent Blvd. and C-470.

Central Corridor Extension . . . extension of the Central Corridor which opened in 1994. The extension will travel north along Downing Street and end at 38th and Blake Streets, connecting the Central Corridor with the East Corridor.

US 36 BRT - . . . project to enhance transit service along the US 36 Corridor between Denver and Boulder.

Timing matters because if FasTracks runs out of money, the projects scheduled last may not be built, and because political support for more FasTracks funding in the middle of the project can be impacted by what has been accomplished so far.