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![]() G Line train at 41st and Fox station | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owner | Regional Transportation District | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Denver metropolitan area | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Termini | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stations | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Website | RTD Denver - G Line | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Commuter rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
System | RTD Rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operator(s) | Denver Transit Partners | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opened | April 26, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Line length | 11.2 mi (18.0 km) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrification | Overhead line, 25 kV 60 Hz AC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The G Line, also known as the Gold Line during construction, [1] is a Regional Transportation District (RTD) electric commuter rail line between Denver Union Station and Wheat Ridge, Colorado. [2] Long scheduled to open in October 2016, the opening was delayed until mid-2019. [3] [4] The reason specified for the delay was timing issues experienced by the other commuter rail lines in the RTD system, which currently require a Federal Railroad Administration waiver to operate their grade crossings manually, and the wireless crossing system used by those lines. [5]
The G Line was originally conceived in the 1990s as a rail line that would go from Denver Union Station to downtown Golden. [6] But plans to build the line to Golden were split into two phases. The first phase was funded through FasTracks, and ended at the current terminus of Wheat Ridge/Ward. The second phase has yet to be funded, and RTD has no current plans to extend the G Line further. However, RTD owns the right-of-way out to Golden should it ever want to expand in the future.
The G Line uses the former Colorado and Southern Railway line which ran between Denver and Arvada until 1943.
The Gold Line is part of the RTD’s FasTracks expansion plan, and is operated by Denver Transit Partners as part of the Eagle P3 public–private partnership. [7] The line received a Record of Decision approval from the Federal Transit Administration in November 2009 allowing the line to be developed. [8] Groundbreaking for the line occurred on August 31, 2011, at a ceremony in Olde Town Arvada where US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the approval of a $1 billion grant to fund the project. [9]
The line is 11.2 miles (18.0 km) in length, [9] and was expected to cost $590.5 million. [8] There are a total of eight stations: Union Station, 41st Avenue, Pecos, Federal, Sheridan, Olde Town, Arvada Ridge and Ward Road. [8]
The project's nickname of the "Gold Line" refers to the June 1850 discovery of gold by Georgia prospector Lewis Ralston in Ralston Creek, which runs a few blocks from the Olde Town Station. [10]
The G Line was originally scheduled to open in late 2016, but was delayed due to crossing gate issues with the RTD's A and B lines. The automated crossing gate system, unique to the RTD system, failed to receive federal and state approvals and relied on flaggers on a federal waiver for the first two lines. After RTD solved timing issues with the gates, subject to Federal Railroad Administration approval, the G Line opened without flaggers and quiet zones in place on April 26, 2019. Testing began in January 2018 and the state's Public Utilities Commission approved the automated gates in March. [11] [12] Pending FRA approval of the crossing systems in December 2018, the agency claimed it could begin operations as late as Q1 2019. [13] On April 1, 2019, RTD announced the opening of the G Line on April 26 following approval from respective organizations. [14]
The G Line's southern terminus is at Union Station in Denver. It runs on a railroad right-of-way north sharing track with the B Line until Pecos Junction station after which the two routes diverge. The G Line continues west to its terminus in Wheat Ridge. [15]
Station | Municipality | Opened | Major connections & notes |
---|---|---|---|
Union Station | Denver | April 22, 2016 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
41st & Fox | April 26, 2019 | ![]() Park and ride: 500 spaces | |
Pecos Junction | North Washington | ![]() Park and ride: 300 spaces | |
Clear Creek/Federal | Berkley | Park and ride: 280 spaces | |
60th & Sheridan/Arvada Gold Strike | Arvada | Park and ride: 330 spaces | |
Olde Town Arvada | Park and ride: 600 spaces | ||
Arvada Ridge | Park and ride: 200 spaces | ||
Wheat Ridge/Ward | Wheat Ridge | Park and ride: 290 spaces |
Denver Union Station is the main railway station and central transportation hub in Denver, Colorado. It is located at 17th and Wynkoop Streets in the present-day LoDo district and includes the historic station house, a modern open-air train shed, a 22-gate underground bus station, and light rail station. A station was first opened on the site on June 1, 1881, but burned down in 1894. The current structure was erected in two stages, with an enlarged central portion completed in 1914.
FasTracks is a multibillion-dollar public transportation expansion plan under construction in metropolitan Denver, Colorado, United States. Developed by the Regional Transportation District (RTD), the plan consists of new commuter rail, light rail, and express bus services. Six new light rail, electric commuter rail and diesel commuter rail lines with a combined length of 122 miles (196 km) will be constructed under the plan. It expands on previous transportation projects, notably T-REX, and includes 57 new transit stations and stops, 21,000 new parking spaces, 18 miles (29 km) of a bus service between Denver and Boulder and the renovation of Denver Union Station as a multi-modal transportation hub.
The Regional Transportation District, more commonly referred to as RTD, is the regional agency operating public transit services in eight out of the twelve counties in the Denver–Aurora combined statistical area in the U.S. state of Colorado. It operates over a 2,342-square-mile (6,070 km2) area, serving 3.08 million people. RTD was organized in 1969 and is governed by a 15-member, publicly elected Board of Directors. Directors are elected to a four-year term and represent a specific district of about 180,000 constituents.
The E Line is a light rail line which is part of the rail system operated by the Regional Transportation District in the Denver metropolitan area in Colorado. The line was added to the system on November 17, 2006, with the completion of the Southeast Corridor as part of the T-REX Project. It is one of four routes that are part of the RTD's service plan for the corridor.
The F Line was a light rail line operated by the Regional Transportation District in the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area in Colorado.
The R Line or Aurora Line/I-225 Rail is a Regional Transportation District (RTD) light rail line that serves stations in Aurora, Denver, Greenwood Village, Centennial and Lone Tree. Opening on February 24, 2017, the line was designated as the “R” line, reflecting the letter R’s in “Aurora” and “Ridgegate”.
Positive train control (PTC) is a family of automatic train protection systems deployed in the United States. Most of the United States' national rail network mileage has a form of PTC. These systems are generally designed to check that trains are moving safely and to stop them when they are not.
The W Line, also called the West Rail Line, is a light rail line in Denver, Lakewood, and Golden, Colorado, United States. The W Line was the first part of FasTracks to break ground, on May 16, 2007. The line, the only line to traverse the West Corridor, opened for service on Friday, April 26, 2013.
The A Line is a Regional Transportation District (RTD) commuter rail line serving Denver and Aurora, Colorado, operating between downtown Denver and Denver International Airport (DIA). During planning and construction, it was also known as the East Rail Line, but most locals refer to it as the A Line. Despite its former title, the line does not serve the campuses of the University of Colorado.
The B Line, also known as the Northwest Rail Line during construction, is a commuter rail line which is part of the commuter and light rail system operated by the Regional Transportation District in the Denver metropolitan area in Colorado. Part of the FasTracks project, the first 6.2-mile (10 km) section from downtown Denver to south Westminster opened on July 25, 2016. If fully built out, estimated around 2042, the B Line will be a 41-mile (66 km) high-capacity route from Denver Union Station to Longmont, passing through North Denver, Adams County, Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville and Boulder.
Eagle P3 is a public–private partnership (P3) involving the Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver, Colorado and Denver Transit Partners, a partnership of several private companies. Under the Eagle P3 signed in 2010, Denver Transit Partners holds a 34-year contract to design, build, finance, operate and maintain RTD commuter rail lines.
The N Line, also known as the North Metro Rail Line during construction, is a commuter rail line which is part of the commuter and light rail system owned by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in the Denver metropolitan area in Colorado. The first 13 miles (21 km) from downtown Denver to 124th Avenue in Thornton opened as part of the FasTracks expansion plan on September 21, 2020. When fully built out the line will be 18.5 miles (29.8 km) long and pass through Denver, Commerce City, Northglenn, and Thornton. The N Line features Colorado's longest bridge at 9,533 feet called the Skyway Bridge. While other RTD commuter lines are operated by Denver Transit Partners for RTD, this is the only line operated by RTD itself.
Denver Airport is a commuter rail station on the A Line in Denver, Colorado, serving Denver International Airport. The A Line begins at the airport and travels west to Union Station in Downtown Denver in about 37 minutes via six intermediate stops. Trains run about every 15 minutes.
Pecos Junction station is a Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) commuter rail station that is served by the B Line and G Line. The station was originally scheduled to open in 2016, but was delayed with the rest of the G Line. It opened on April 26, 2019.
41st & Fox station is a commuter rail station in Denver, Colorado, United States. It serves the Regional Transportation District's B Line and G Line and serves the Globeville and Sunnyside neighborhoods. It is the first station northbound on the route from Denver Union Station.
60th & Sheridan–Arvada Gold Strike station is a commuter rail station on the G Line of the Denver RTD system in Denver, Colorado. It is located in Arvada, Colorado and is the fourth northbound station from Denver Union Station. It opened on April 26, 2019.
Olde Town Arvada station is a commuter rail station on the G Line of the Denver RTD system in Denver, Colorado. It is located in downtown Arvada, Colorado and is the fifth stop from Denver Union Station. The station includes 600 parking spaces in a parking garage that is shared with local businesses. Construction on the station and garage began late 2014.
Clear Creek/Federal station is a Regional Transportation District (RTD) commuter rail station on the G Line located in the unincorporated community of Berkley, Colorado between Denver Union Station and Wheat Ridge, on an embanked section of track immediately east of Federal Boulevard. Clear Creek/Federal station is the third station outbound on the Gold Line from Denver Union Station and also includes three bus bays and a 283-stall park and ride facility. The station opened on April 26, 2019.
Arvada Ridge station is a Regional Transportation District (RTD) commuter rail station on the G Line between Denver Union Station and Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The station is located in western Arvada, Colorado, on the west side of Kipling Parkway and near Red Rocks Community College's Arvada campus. It includes bus bays, a 200-stall park and ride, and a pedestrian underpass connecting the platform to Ridge Road and the park and ride. Public art at the station includes "Chromatic Harvest", a kaleidoscopic mural wall with geometric imagery of agriculture. The station opened on April 26, 2019.
Wheat Ridge/Ward station is a Regional Transportation District (RTD) commuter rail station and terminus of the G Line. It opened on April 26, 2019, along with the rest of the G Line, three years after its initially planned October 2016 opening.