RTD R Line LRT set for Feb. 24 opening
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
The Denver, Colo. Regional Transportation District (RTD), host of the Railway Age/RT&S 2017 Light Rail Conference and Rail Transit Finance Forum, will launch its R Line on Feb. 24, offering light rail service to Aurora, Colo.
The R Line (called the Aurora Line/I-225 Rail during construction), will extend service from the existing Nine Mile Station north 10.5 miles to Peoria Station, linking with the University of Colorado A Line to Denver International Airport. It covers 22 miles, linking Lincoln Station with Peoria Station, and extending the H Line from Nine Mile to the new Florida Station. Service will operate every 15 minutes during peak hours, with connections to major activity centers like the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children’s Hospital and a new VA Hospital.
“The R Line is a signature project for RTD, the city of Aurora and our region,” said RTD General Manager and CEO Dave Genova, who will deliver the keynote address at the Light Rail Conference. “The line is significant in that it completes another important connection and mobility opportunity on the eastern side of the metro area, connecting commuters to important destinations throughout the line. RTD has successfully operated light rail for more than 20 years, and being able to provide additional service when the R Line opens is very exciting.”
Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan said addition of light rail service to Aurora “will transform the community. This is not just a train line running through a part of our community. This line traverses the core of the city, and when it opens on Feb. 24, it will truly connect the entire metropolitan region to Aurora.”
The R Line is a part of RTD’s FasTracks 2004 voter-approved transit expansion program to construct new rail lines, add bus rapid transit service and parking spaces, renovate Denver Union Station and redirect bus service to better connect the district.
