Construction Has Begun On Denver’s Latest Light-Rail Line Extension

Construction work has begun on Denver, Colorado’s latest light-rail line extension — a 2.3 mile extension to the Regional Transportation District’s Southeast Light Rail Line — according to recent reports.

The new Southeast Light Rail Line extension will see service extended from the current Lincoln Station terminus down to Lone Tree. The extension into Denver’s southeast suburbs will expand the line from its current length of 19 miles up to a 21.3 mile length.

As part of the light-rail line’s expansion, 3 new stations will be built in suburban Douglas County, and a 1,300-parking-space park-and-ride facility will be constructed as well.

The Denver Post provides more information:

In April, the US Department of Transportation awarded a $92 million grant to RTD (Regional Transportation District), which represents about 41% of the $223.6 million total project cost.

The addition will run along the west side of I-25 from the Lincoln Station and then cross over to the east side of the interstate and end at RidgeGate Parkway in Douglas County. The extension will include an end-of-the line station at RidgeGate with parking. Two neighborhood stations will be added: one adjacent to the Sky Ridge Medical Center, near I-25 and Sky Ridge Avenue, and the other at the planned Lone Tree City Center east of I-25 at Lincoln Avenue.

Recent years have seen Denver’s light-rail system expanded greatly, and further additions are currently in the works as well — with the intent being to eventually serve most heavily traveled transport corridors in the city’s suburbs.

Image by RTD