Denver FasTracks West Rail Line To Golden Opening 8 Months Early

The West Rail Line of a Denver metro-area commuter train network will open to the public on April 26, 2013. That's 8 months ahead of schedule for the 12.1-mile FasTracks line.

According to the Denver Post, the project is ahead of schedule primarily due to cooperation between contractors and local governments on the route. "This doesn't happen without teamwork between RTD and our partners," said Phil Washington, RTD general manager, in a press release.

The line will ferry passengers from Denver's Union Station west to Golden, with 12 stops along the way. Stops are tentatively scheduled for every 5 minutes during peak hours.

RTD estimates 19,300 riders will use the line each weekday, writes 9News.

93 percent of the West Rail Line is currently complete. KMGH reports major construction will finish this summer and a signals and communication system should be in place by late 2012.

Building the West Line began in mid-2009 with a budget of just over $700 million.

Other FasTracks projects currently underway are the redevelopment of Denver Union Station and its surrounding site, I-225 extension to Illiff Avenue, Eagle P-3 Project (which includes the East Line to Denver International Airport; Gold Line to Arvada; and the first segment of the Northwest Rail Line to south Westminster), North Metro Rail Line to the National Western Stock Show; and the express lanes extension on US 36 for Bus Rapid Transit.

WATCH a flyover of the West Rail Line's route: