light rail cancelled (Denver, Westminster, Boulder: construction, maintenance, live)

[4warned]

Being new to this blog, let me apologize in advance if this topic has already been covered extensively, as I suspect; but I really am curious about why the propsed light rail from Denver to Boulder was cancelled. I understand that the cost is currently twice (roughly) that of the original estimate, but that makes no sense. How long ago was the original bid accepted? Steel prices have not gone up for the past 2 years, and labor has remained stagnant...as we all know too well. It's very disappointing to me because I think that line -and the one to DIA - is a no-brainer.

[OhioToCO]

Originally Posted by 4warned

Being new to this blog, let me apologize in advance if this topic has already been covered extensively, as I suspect; but I really am curious about why the propsed light rail from Denver to Boulder was cancelled. I understand that the cost is currently twice (roughly) that of the original estimate, but that makes no sense. How long ago was the original bid accepted? Steel prices have not gone up for the past 2 years, and labor has remained stagnant...as we all know too well. It's very disappointing to me because I think that line -and the one to DIA - is a no-brainer.

I didn't think it was canceled. According to the document below it's one of the options that RTD Board is considering, but nothing is decided yet. The base option is to still build the Northwest Light Rail (I'm not sure if you are referring to that one as "Denver to Boulder light rail"), but to move the completion date to 2024. There are two more options that Board will have to make decision in the beginning of March. Read through and you will find out.

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/media/u...7_12_FINAL.pdf

[BoulderWhitewater]

The Denver-Boulder-Longmont route was never going to be "light rail", but was commuter rail on existing tracks. The Denver-Boulder corridor was the only corridor planned with two modes, rail and "rapid bus". It never made an sense to serve this corridor with two lines, it was only proposed to get the Boulder votes on Fastracks. Look on a map, the rail line is not direct, has many at grade crossings and will take longer, at a higher price than the rapid bus option. They should drop the rail component and do the bus line correctly and ASAP.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by 4warned

Being new to this blog, let me apologize in advance if this topic has already been covered extensively, as I suspect; but I really am curious about why the propsed light rail from Denver to Boulder was cancelled. I understand that the cost is currently twice (roughly) that of the original estimate, but that makes no sense. How long ago was the original bid accepted? Steel prices have not gone up for the past 2 years, and labor has remained stagnant...as we all know too well. It's very disappointing to me because I think that line -and the one to DIA - is a no-brainer.

There's no bid for construction of the line, all of the costs that you've seen are based on estimates and this is really a case of BNSF taking RTD for all that they can in order for RTD to use the BNSF line.

However, the Northwest Corridor (it would be diesel commuter rail, not light rail) is certainly not a "no-brainer". It's actually the worst line in terms of ridership and also for cost per rider. This is a line that could be discarded and replaced with a more extensive BRT line going to Boulder and Longmont that would result in better service, but it's really the political ramifications that propel this line.

[Sobe Itsavized]

It'd be nice if the US-36 lanes were widen or given an extra lane both ways. The FasTracks project would or can still free up the already large amount of congestion during rush hour. I'm just so happy I haven't had to take 36 during rush hour these past few years.

[tfox]

The Bus Rapid Transit project, at least to Interlocken and eventually beyond, is already proceeding ahead. Bus Rapid Transit is essentially setting up a shared HOV/bus lane on 36, as well as providing pullout stations for the bus to drop off / add passengers without having to get off the highway. Once this is done, the Denver / Boulder B/BX buses will be much faster and attractive to the commuter.

It's hard to see how rail will ever be able to compete with the BRT system even if it is finished, at least for Boulder - Denver passengers. The bus will be much faster, much more direct, and will stop at Table Mesa, CU and Downtown Boulder, three very useful locations. The commuter rail will have stops only at 33rd / Pearl in East Boulder, plus Louisville and Gunbarrel. Except for people who live near that location, I don't see why anyone would take commuter rail over the bus, particularly for those heading INTO Boulder in the morning.

The Eagle P3 project now underway will create a short northwest commuter line up to Lowell in southeast Westminster. This happens "for free" as that section is needed to provide access to the maintenance areas for the Gold Line and DIA lines. It's highly likely that it will be extended further than this as part of Fastracks, but I think it will take a long time for it to get extended all the way to Boulder, to say nothing of Longmont.

[BoulderWhitewater]

tfox,

Thanks for the additional info and I agree. If RTD made a decision to only do one mode they could do Bus Rapid Transit first class, rather than two modes half-assed. BRT needs its own lane from Boulder to Louisville and that is not in current plans.