The West Corridor Light Rail Transit, United States of America

Key Data

The West Rail Line is a 12.1-mile (19.47km) extension of the existing 35-mile (56.3km) light rail transit (LRT) system in the city of Denver in Colorado, US. It is being constructed between Jefferson County Government Centre and Auraria West stations.

It will have 12 stations and serve Lakewood, Denver, the Federal Centre and Jeffco and Golden areas. RTD (regional transportation district) is the owner and operator of the project.

"A $62m construction contract was awarded to Balfour Beatty Rail to construct the light rail extension."

The plan for a mass transit system in the West Corridor area, which includes Denver and Golden, was first proposed in the 1970s. A major investments study (MIS) conducted on the corridor concluded the LRT along the old associated railroad line adjacent to 13th Avenue was the most preferred alignment.

RTD consequently acquired the associated railroad line on 13th Avenue for transit use in 1988. It prepared an environmental impact statement (EIS) and preliminary engineering (PE) for the LRT between 2001 and 2004.

The final EIS was submitted to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in late 2003. The FTA approved the project in April 2004.

The final design of the project was prepared between 2005 and 2008. RTD conducted the environmental assessment and received the final finding of no significant impact in November 2007 from the FTA.

The total estimated investment of the project is $707.6m. The FTA granted $308m of funding on 16 January 2009. The construction began in May 2007 and is expected to be completed by May 2013.

Infrastructure and construction of the West Corridor Light Rail Transit

The project broke ground on 16 May 2007 with the removal of old trolley tracks along 13th Avenue. Early construction works included relocation of utilities and ordering steel for the construction of the Kipling light rail bridge.

The construction is being carried out in three areas. The construction work in Area 1 is progressing on Jefferson County, I-70 tunnel, 4th, 6th and 8th avenues.

The construction crews are coherently working on installation of an elevator, stair and overhead lighting system and construction of Jefferson station. A parking lot with 1,000 spaces has been constructed at the Federal Center station.

Area 2 includes North Avenue, 8th Avenue, Collins Avenue, Oak Street, Kipling Street and Independence Street. Installation of rail across North Avenue is progressing simultaneously with the construction of Oak Street station.

The construction in Area 3 includes Sheridan Boulevard, Perry Street and Federal Boulevard Bridge. The installation of rail and track crossings at Perry Street was completed as of September 2011.

The work on the bike path connection between Sheridan Boulevard and Perry Street is in progress. Construction of the Federal Boulevard Bridge and work on Decatur Street was completed in August 2011.

The CPV line has been connected with the West Rail line. Installation of overhead catenary systems in the Auraria station area has been completed.

Contractors involved in the West Corridor LRT project

David Evans and Associates (DEA) were contracted to design the extension. DEA provided transit design, tunnel and bridge design, civil engineering services, landscape design and architectural services.

Denver Transit Construction Group (DTCG), a joint venture between Herzog Contracting Corp and Stacy & Witbeck, is the construction manager and general contractor for the project. The corresponding contract was awarded in 2009.

A $62m construction contract was awarded to Balfour Beatty Rail to construct the light rail extension. The contractual scope includes the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the system elements including signalling and communications, traction power substations and overhead catenary.

"The final EIS was submitted to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in late 2003."

Local contractors involved in the preconstruction and construction include Edward Kraemer & Sons, Lawrence Construction Company, Jackson Construction Company, Meza Construction Company, Alcam Metal Distribution, Doss Technical Services and LFL International.

Swinerton was awarded a design build contract for the Wadsworth Boulevard parking structure. The scope includes construction of a four storey parking system with 1,000 spaces at Lakewood. The construction will commence in October 2011 and be completed by May 2013.

The Swinerton design build team includes SA Miro for structural engineering, Gensler for architecture, Parking Consultants for the parking design and BCER for MEPF engineering.

Track works on the extension in progress.

Works on a bridge along the route in progress.

A $62m construction contract was awarded to Balfour Beatty Rail to construct the 12 mile light rail extension.

A completed bridge along the line route.

The line will have 12 stations and serve Lakewood, Denver, the Federal Centre and Jeffco and Golden areas.

Denver Transit Construction Group (DTCG) was awarded a $351m worth full construction contract in June 2009.