View source for FasTracks

{{short description|Transit expansion project in Denver, CO}}
{{Distinguish|FasTrak}}

{{update|date=June 2016}}
'''FasTracks''' is a multibillion-dollar [[public transportation]] expansion plan under construction in metropolitan [[Denver]], [[Colorado]], United States. Developed by the [[Regional Transportation District]] (RTD), the plan consists of new [[commuter rail]], [[light rail]], and express bus services. Six new light rail, electric commuter rail and diesel commuter rail lines with a combined length of {{convert|122|mi|km}} will be constructed under the plan. It expands on previous transportation projects, notably [[Colorado T-REX Project (TRansportation EXpansion)|T-REX]], and includes 57 new transit stations and stops, 21,000 new parking spaces, {{convert|18|mi|km}} of a bus service between Denver and [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]] and the renovation of [[Denver Union Station]] as a multi-modal transportation hub.<ref name="FasTracks 2013 Fact Sheet">{{cite web |title=General FasTracks Program - 2013 Fact Sheet |url=http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/media/uploads/main/GeneralfactSheet2013.pdf |publisher=RTD |access-date=20 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624004357/http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/media/uploads/main/GeneralfactSheet2013.pdf |archive-date=24 June 2013}}</ref>

Originally envisioned to cost $4.7 billion and to be completed in 2017, voters in the eight counties that comprise the RTD approved a 0.4 percent sales tax increase in 2004. By 2010, the budget grew to $6.5 billion while projected revenues dropped to $4.1 billion.<ref name=DenBizJou_vote>{{cite news|title=FasTracks costs have dropped, but so have funds for project, RTD says|author=Cathy Proctor |newspaper=Denver Business Journal|date=January 5, 2010|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/01/04/daily35.html?page=all|access-date=June 20, 2013}}</ref>

The project is not expected to be finished until after 2050.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpr.org/2019/06/19/rtd-explores-money-options-to-catch-up-on-unfinished-fastracks-trains/|title = RTD Explores Money Options to Catch up on Unfinished FasTracks Trains}}</ref>  Alternative funding sources, such as [[public-private partnerships]], have been sought.<ref name=RI-DenverRTD>{{cite journal| title=Denver RTD makes the case for a public-private funding approach |first= Angela |last=Cotey |journal=Progressive Railroading |date= January 2015 |url= http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/article/Denver-RTD-makes-the-case-for-a-publicprivate-funding-approach--43150 }}</ref>

The first of the six new lines envisioned in the plan, the [[W Line (RTD)|West Corridor light rail line]] to [[Golden, Colorado]], opened for revenue service on April 26, 2013. By mid-2014, construction was underway on the five other rail lines. Two commuter rail lines opened on their long-anticipated dates in 2016: the East Rail Line to [[Denver International Airport]] and the portion of the Northwest Rail Line to south [[Westminster, Colorado|Westminster]]. The I-225 Rail Line through [[Aurora, Colorado|Aurora]] opened on February 24, 2017, and the Gold Line to [[Wheat Ridge, Colorado|Wheat Ridge]] opened on April 26, 2019. In addition, the North Metro Rail Line to [[Thornton, Colorado|Thornton]] opened in 2020.

[[Denver Union Station]] underwent $200 million worth of facility improvements to turn it into the hub for new commuter and light rail lines as well as bus service in downtown Denver. The underground 22-bay bus concourse at Union Station opened on May 11, 2014, while the restaurants, bars, and hotel officially opened July 26, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Union Station Investment To Drive Development |author=Libby Smith |date=July 2, 2014 |location=Denver, CO |publisher=CBS4 |url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/07/02/union-station-investment-to-drive-development/ |access-date=July 21, 2014}}</ref>

==Progress==
FasTracks is being funded with federal appropriations, private contributions, and a region-wide [[Sales taxes in the United States#Colorado|sales tax]] increase. The project was allowed to begin when the sales tax portion of its funding was approved by Denver metro area voters in November 2004. The tax went into effect in January 2005.

In 2006, engineering design of the initial segment, the West Rail Line, was begun.

By spring of 2006, the [[environmental impact statement]]s of all other proposed lines were underway. The municipal governments of [[Denver]], [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]], and [[Lakewood, Colorado|Lakewood]] had launched detailed studies of community redevelopment possibilities around station locations. The cities of [[Westminster, Colorado|Westminster]], [[Thornton, Colorado|Thornton]], [[Aurora, Colorado|Aurora]], [[Greenwood Village, Colorado|Greenwood Village]], [[Englewood, Colorado|Englewood]], [[Sheridan, Colorado|Sheridan]], and [[Arvada, Colorado|Arvada]] are also planning [[transit oriented development]] areas around some of their proposed rail stations.

Central to the regional nature of the service package is [[Union Station (Denver)|Union Station]]. Special studies of its redevelopment and adaptation for multiple transport modes were conducted and engineering design work and property development work was underway in 2006.

In May 2007, a $1.5 billion budget overrun was reported. Despite service and construction reductions, by January 2010 the budget had grown to $6.5 billion (a $1.8 billion overrun). At the same time, sales tax revenue forecasts for 2017 were projected to come in much less than originally anticipated leaving the project $2.45 billion short.<ref name=INDT_cost_drop>{{cite news| title=FasTracks' cost drop for 2010 includes project cuts in addition to recessionary drop in prices, as RTD scales back to hold down deficit | author= Kevin Flynn | publisher=In Denver Times | date=January 19, 2010 | url=http://www.indenvertimes.com/fastracks%E2%80%99-cost-drop-for-2010-includes-project-cuts-in-addition-to-recessionary-drop-in-prices-as-rtd-scales-back-to-hold-down-deficit/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913170535/http://www.indenvertimes.com/fastracks%E2%80%99-cost-drop-for-2010-includes-project-cuts-in-addition-to-recessionary-drop-in-prices-as-rtd-scales-back-to-hold-down-deficit/ |archive-date=September 13, 2012}}</ref>

On April 13, 2010, the RTD board of directors decided to postpone asking voters to further increase the current sales tax. If the tax increase fails to be implemented, the full build-out of the FasTracks plan may not take place until 2042.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Denver Post |title=RTD decides not to seek FasTracks tax hike this year |url=http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14879221 |access-date=April 19, 2010 |first=Jeffrey |last=Leib |date=April 14, 2010}}</ref>

On August 31, 2011, US Transportation Secretary [[Ray LaHood]] announced that the [[US Department of Transportation]] had approved a $1 billion grant to the Eagle P3 project, which consists of the East and Gold commuter rail lines, covering half of the $2 billion cost of the construction of the two lines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/article/USDOT-provides-1-billion-for-Denver-RTDs-Eagle-P3-commuterrail-project--27812 |title=USDOT provides $1 billion for Denver RTD's Eagle P3 commuter-rail project |publisher=Progressive Railroading |date=1 September 2011 |access-date=1 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327114652/http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/article/USDOT-provides-1-billion-for-Denver-RTDs-Eagle-P3-commuterrail-project--27812 |archive-date=27 March 2012 }}</ref>

In March 2012, RTD received an unsolicited proposal to build the I-225 Corridor line from Kiewit Infrastructure Co. After determining the proposal had merit and seeking other bids, RTD selected Kiewit to build the line. In 2013, RTD received a second unsolicited proposal this time to build the North Metro Line. RTD sought bids to build the line out in multiple phases. After receiving four bids, RTD selected the partnership of Graham Contracting Ltd., Balfour Beatty Rail Inc. and Harmon Contractors Inc. (GBBH), the same group that had submitted the unsolicited proposal.<ref name=RI-DenverRTD/>

On April 26, 2013, the first completed segment of the FasTracks regional transit-expansion plan was opened to the public, the [[W Line (RTD)|W Line]].

In November 2014, the first commuter rail cars arrived in Denver from the Hyundai–Rotem USA plant in Philadelphia, PA.<ref>{{cite web |title=The New Rail Cars |url=http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/ep3_84 |website=Rtd-fastracks.com |publisher=FasTracks Regional Transportation District of Denver |access-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223034232/http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/ep3_84 |archive-date=23 February 2020}}</ref>

==Project details==
{| style="margin:auto;"
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{{RTD expansion map}}
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===Eagle public-private partnership===
{{main|Eagle P3}}
The Eagle [[public–private partnership]] (P3) combines two commuter rail lines, the East Line to DIA and the Gold Line to Wheat Ridge, plus a section of the Northwest Line up to Westminster, and a maintenance facility into a single contract. Denver Transit Partners, the [[consortium]] of companies RTD selected to lead the Eagle P3 project, is responsible for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of the rail lines in the contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eagle P3 Project |url=http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_126 |publisher=RTD |access-date=June 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824163310/http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_126 |archive-date=August 24, 2011 }}</ref>

Construction broke ground on the Gold Line on August 26, 2010. In August 2011, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood committed $1 billion in federal money to the Eagle P3 project. In December LaHood approved a $280 million loan to advance construction. As of June 2013, the project is on track to open the rail lines under contract in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eagle P3 Project Update |date=March 5, 2013 |url=http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/media/uploads/ep3/20130305FasTracks_Monitoring_Committee.pdf |publisher=RTD |access-date=June 20, 2013}}</ref><ref name="rt">{{cite web|url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/ |title=Eagle P3 Commuter Rail Project, Denver, USA |publisher=Railway Technology |access-date=1 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903160147/http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/ |archive-date=3 September 2011 }}</ref>

====East Rail Line (commuter rail)====
{{main|A Line (RTD)}}
Being constructed as part of the Eagle P3, the East Rail Line is a {{convert|23.6|mi|km|adj=on}} commuter rail line between downtown Denver, [[Aurora, Colorado|Aurora]], and [[Denver International Airport]] using [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) commuter trains. To expedite travel time between downtown Denver and Denver International Airport, only six stations will be located on the line. Construction started in August 2010, and the line opened to the public on April 22, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Urban rail news in brief - October 2010 |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/urban-rail-news-in-brief-october-2010.html |publisher=Railway Gazette International |access-date=5 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007102154/https://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/urban-rail-news-in-brief-october-2010.html |archive-date=7 October 2010 |date=3 October 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="Fas Tracks">{{cite web|title=Fas Tracks|website=RTD: FasTracks}}</ref>

====Gold Line (commuter rail)====
{{main|G Line (RTD)}}
The second full line funded under the Eagle P3, the Gold Line is an {{convert|11.2|mi|km|adj=on}} commuter rail corridor that will run from [[Union Station (Denver, Colorado)|Denver Union Station]] to [[Wheat Ridge, Colorado|Wheat Ridge]], passing through [[Adams County, Colorado|Adams County]] and [[Arvada, Colorado|Arvada]]. As with the East Corridor, the RTD Board of Directors chose EMU commuter trains to run on the Gold Line. Seven new stations—with an already existing station at Union— were built for the line. It opened on April 26, 2019.<ref name="denver">{{cite web | url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21508831/detail.html | title=Fastracks Gold Line To Wheat Ridge Approved | publisher=The Denver Channel | date=3 November 2009 | access-date=3 September 2011}}</ref>

===I-225 Corridor (light rail)===
{{main|R Line (RTD)}}
The I-225 Corridor is {{convert|10.5|mi|km|adj=on}} light rail line running through [[Aurora, Colorado|Aurora]] and facilitate a circumferential link between the Southeast Corridor and the East Line. The project will include seven new stations and provide 1,800 new parking spaces. Construction began in the spring of 2012 on a short section of the line as part of a joint contract with CDOT. Following an unsolicited proposal from Kiewit Infrastructure Co. funding was secured for the full line which opened on February 24, 2017.

===North Metro Corridor (commuter rail)===
{{main|N Line (RTD)}}
The North Metro Corridor is a commuter rail line that runs along an existing railroad right-of-way from Denver to 160th Avenue in [[Thornton, Colorado|Thornton]]. The line has eight stations on its {{convert|18.4|mi|km|adj=on}} route. In 2009, RTD paid $117 million to purchase the right-of-way from Union Pacific in preparation for the buildout of the North Metro line. However, with the [[Great Recession|global recession of 2009]], the North Metro Corridor became a victim of financial setbacks and it was feared that the line would not be built until 2044. RTD was able to avoid delaying the construction of the line when it accepted an unsolicited offer in 2013 to build out the full line in two stages. The first phase was completed in 2020.

===Northwest Rail Corridor (commuter rail)===
{{main|B Line (RTD)}}
The Northwest Rail Corridor is a commuter rail project between Denver, [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]], and [[Longmont, Colorado|Longmont]]. The completion of the proposed {{convert|41|mi|km|adj=on}} line, would consist of seven stations. The route would follow an existing railroad right-of-way from BNSF. The only segment of the line that has been completed to date has been up to Westminster Station. The station sits just south west of Federal and 72nd in Westminster. The line runs from Denver's Union Station to south Westminster, with plans for future segments in the distant future. The project was and still is a construction project part of the Eagle P3 project. Future segments are in an unknown phase at the moment and no construction has started on any other segments on the line. The remaining segments are currently predicted for completion by the year 2044.<ref name=DBJ-Proctor>{{cite news|last=Proctor|first=Cathy |title=RTD's Phil Washington, bound for big L.A. job, talks about Denver's next big challenge |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/earth_to_power/2015/04/rtds-phil-washington-bound-for-big-l-a-job-talks.html?page=all|access-date=17 April 2015|newspaper=The Denver Business Journal|date=April 10, 2015}}</ref> The announcement angered many voters in the cities and suburbs north of Denver who had approved a sales tax increase in 2004 to fund the FasTracks project.<ref>{{cite news|last=Whaley|first=Monte|title=RTD officials face legislative grilling over commuter rail delay|url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21278369/rtd-officials-face-legislative-grilling-over-commuter-rail?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com|access-date=22 April 2013|newspaper=The Denver Post|date=2012-08-10}}</ref>

The downturn in the economy and significant cost increases and delays associated with building and operating the Northwest Corridor led to the initiation of the year-long "Northwest Area Mobility Study". This was an effort between northwest area governments and transportation partners that set out to recommend alternatives to the voter approved commuter rail line that could have possibly brought near-term mobility improvements to the northwest area. The study concluded in 2014 and made a number of recommendations that were adopted by the RTD Board of Directors in June 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Whaley|first=Monte|title=RTD foots bill for study of northwest transit system, cities sign on|url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22518255/northwest-cities-start-sign-onto-fastracks-plan?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com|access-date=22 April 2013|newspaper=The Denver Post|date=2013-02-04}}</ref> One of the recommendations adopted was an interim express bus service called "Flatiron Flyer".<ref name=DBJ-Proctor/><ref>{{cite web|last=Regional Transport District|title=Northwest Corridor FAQ|url=http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/nw_74|publisher=Regional Transport District|access-date=22 April 2013}}</ref> In summer 2018, the U.S. 36 Mayors and Commissioners Coalition was gathering support from other members to ask RTD to provide an estimate for at least weekday rush hour commuter rail service along the original corridor to Longmont.<ref name="Aug. 2018 Boulder County asking RTD to price rush hour rail to Longmont - CO Hometown Weekly">{{cite web |last1=Fryar |first1=John |title=Area cities consider funding rail service to Longmont |url=http://www.coloradohometownweekly.com/news/ci_32072963/area-cities-consider-funding-rail-service-longmont |website=Colorado Hometown Weekly |date=15 August 2018 |access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref>  The "Peak Service Plan" would carry 1,400 passengers per weekday.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cpr.org/2019/05/10/heard-chatter-about-a-bare-bones-rtd-train-to-boulder-dont-hold-your-breath/| title = Heard Chatter About A Bare-Bones RTD Train To Boulder? Don't Hold Your Breath {{!}} Colorado Public Radio}}</ref>

===West Corridor (light rail)===
{{main|W Line (RTD)}}
Preliminary work on the West Corridor light rail line began on May 16, 2007. During early stages of development, it was decided that the line from the Federal Center to the Jefferson County Government Center would be reduced to a single track to help cut costs. According to RTD, this change would reduce train headways from 15 minutes to 5 and make it easier for the line to run along the side of U.S. 6.<ref name="9news20070518">{{cite news |title=Transportation project more than a billion dollars over budget|url=http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=70353 |work=9News |author=Jeffrey Wolf |author2=Deborah Sherman |date=2007-05-18|access-date=2007-05-18}}</ref> Upon the completion of construction the line was designated the "W Line". The 12.1 mile light rail line was opened to the public on April 26, 2013, and is the first completed segment of the FasTracks regional transit-expansion plan.

===US 36 Corridor===
{{main|Flatiron Flyer}}
This is an {{convert|18|mi|km|adj=on}} long express bus line, branded "Flatiron Flyer", running along [[US 36]] between Denver and [[Boulder, Colorado]] with six stops planned along the route. A joint project between CDOT and RTD, the road was widened by 40 feet in each direction to allow the addition of a [[high-occupancy vehicle lane]] instead of the trains voters approved. The project was completed in two phases, with the first phase completed in May 2010. The second phase began construction in July 2012 and opened to the public in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last=Aguilar|first=John|title=U.S. 36 widening project shifts into higher gear|url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_23474785/u-s-36-widening-project-shifts-into-higher|access-date=June 20, 2013|newspaper=The Denver Post|date=June 17, 2013}}</ref>  Sections of the road subsequently collapsed in summer 2019.

===Extensions (light rail)===
There are plans for extensions to a few existing light rail lines; they include a 2.5-mile (4.0&nbsp;km) extension to the Southwest Corridor, extending the line to the southwest corner of Lucent Boulevard and C-470. A 2.3-mile (3.7&nbsp;km) extension to the Southeast Corridor into Lone Tree which opened to the public in May 2019; and a 0.8-mile (1.3&nbsp;km) extension to the Central Corridor to connect the 30th & Downing station with the East Corridor commuter rail line at the intersection of 38th and Blake.

==Economic growth/development==
{{Expand section|date=September 2012}}
According to RTD (2012),<ref>Regional Transportation District of Denver. (2012). 2010 FasTracks Quality of Life Detailed Report. 1-86.</ref> when new development occurs near stations, it increases the likelihood that residents and workers will choose transit as their transportation mode. This reduces the growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and auto trips on a constrained roadway system while, at the same time, accommodating new growth.

RTD has conducted a Quality of Life (QoL) study for the neighborhoods' impacted by FasTracks with baseline data collection starting in 2006 and continuing bi-annually to the present.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_199 |title=RTD FasTracks: Home |publisher=Rtd-fastracks.com |access-date=2015-04-17}}</ref> The QoL study tracks a number of economic and community development indicators.

==Rolling stock==
[[File:Union Station Track 2 platform and RTD communter rail cars.jpg|250px|thumb|right|RTD Silverliner at [[Denver Union Station]].]]
As of 2015, FasTracks has on order 66 [[Hyundai Rotem]] [[Silverliner V]] [[electric multiple unit]] rail cars operated in a [[Twin unit|married pair]] configuration. These cars were initially developed by Rotem for Philadelphia's [[SEPTA Regional Rail]] in 2009, with RTD's order coming a year later in 2010. RTD's numbered 4001 through 4066, possess a number of differences from the ones operated by SEPTA, most notably the lack of low platform steps and full-width cabs.

All trains operating on the commuter rail lines will be equipped with [[positive train control]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Massey|first1=Kevin|title=RTD: New Denver trains to be safer than one that crashed|url=http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/2015/05/14/new-denver-trains-safer/27338495/|access-date=30 May 2015|work=KUSA|date=May 14, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Criticism==

=== Denver Union Station Design === 
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Denver Union Station Project Authority (DUSPA) has received significant criticism for the redevelopment of the Denver Union Station. Many public transportation advocates and planning experts maintain that the project precludes impending access of high-speed rail technology and north–south passenger rail routes such as Front Range Rail, is designed to present logistical complications for both rail and bus commuters, lacks integration of bicycle facilities and an intercity bus station, and is being modeled to perform as a stub-end terminal for current and future intercity rail routes. Many citizens and public transportation advocates have also expressed frustration with the high cost associated with the project's design and its direct impact on the agency's ability to complete all rail lines that were a part of the original voter-approved FasTracks project proposal. In 2009, the Colorado Rail Passenger Association, a local rail transportation advocacy group, filed a lawsuit against the Federal Transportation Administration for its acceptance of DUSPA's Environmental Impact Statement, which suspiciously omitted several impactful statements and comments that were contributed by the members of the community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lakewoodedge.com/2009/05/20/colorado-rail-sues-feds-over-union-station-plan/ |title=ColoRail sues feds over Union Station plan |access-date=2023-09-18 |archive-date=2009-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603084232/http://lakewoodedge.com/2009/05/20/colorado-rail-sues-feds-over-union-station-plan/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

===Eminent domain===
The [[Regional Transportation District]] have used [[eminent domain]] to condemn properties in the path of transportation projects.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Whaley|first1=Monte|title=FasTracks moves ahead with property acquisition|url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_21576505/fastracks-moves-ahead-property-acquisition|access-date=31 May 2015|work=The Denver Post|date=September 18, 2012}}</ref> Several property owners have protested the taking of their properties for FasTracks lines.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Espinoza|first1=Annette|title=Holdouts fold in fight against RTD and eminent domain|url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14466336|access-date=31 May 2015|work=The Denver Post|date=February 25, 2010}}</ref>

=== Federal Station relocation ===
The Regional Transportation District proposed relocating the [[Gold Line (RTD)|Gold Line]] Federal Station from the previously approved east side site to the west side of [[Federal Boulevard]]. Some residents opposed the move on the grounds that was only to benefit a developer who owned property near the west side site, and revitalization of the community would be better served by the east side location. RTD supported the move because the east side location was a former waste dump, and that the west side location would be more accessible for the community.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Leib|first1=Jeffrey|title=Adams Co. neighborhood divided on possible rail station move across street|url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16600619|access-date=31 May 2015|work=The Denver Post|date=November 13, 2010}}</ref>

On December 15, 2010, RTD announced that the Federal Station would remain on the east side of Federal and not be moved to the west side. The Adams County Commissioners, who had originally requested the change, withdrew their support under pressure from residents of a subdivision near the west site, who opposed the private developer's plan to build higher-density housing and commercial buildings around the new station site.<ref>{{cite web|last=Leib |first=Jeffrey |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16870364 |title=RTD won't move station planned for east side of Federal to west side |date=15 December 2010 |publisher=Denverpost.com |access-date=2015-04-17}}</ref>

=== Indefinite Northwest Rail Line delay ===
Originally, the voter-approved plan called for a {{convert|41|mile|km|adj=on}} high-capacity [[commuter rail]] line running from Denver Union Station to [[Longmont, Colorado|Longmont]], passing through North Denver, [[Adams County, Colorado|Adams County]], Westminster, [[Broomfield, Colorado|Broomfield]], [[Louisville, Colorado|Louisville]] and [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rtd-denver.com/NorthwestRailLine.shtml |title=RTD - Northwest Rail Line |publisher=Regional Transportation District |access-date=February 11, 2015 |archive-date=February 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212235007/http://www.rtd-denver.com/NorthwestRailLine.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> Back in early 2008, the diesel-powered heavy rail service was expected to start running in late 2014 or early 2015 - roughly ten years after the FasTracks vote - initially with 58 trains a day, ramping up over a decade to 84 trains by 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timescall.com/ci_13136675 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924093349/http://www.timescall.com/ci_13136675 |archive-date=2017-09-24 |title=Louisville discusses impacts of train - Longmont Times-Call}}</ref> The completion of this original plan has been delayed until 2044 due to lower tax revenues and higher costs than expected.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Whaley|first1=Monte|title=RTD defends FasTracks spending|url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_21422389/rtd-defends-fastracks-spending|access-date=31 May 2015|work=The Denver Post|date=August 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Whaley|first1=Monte|title=Denver is being transformed by FasTracks, 10 years after key vote|url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27429751/denver-is-being-transformed-by-fastracks-10-years|access-date=31 May 2015|work=The Denver Post|date=January 31, 2015}}</ref>

In January 2016, RTD introduced a new express bus system in the US 36 Corridor, parallel to the Northwest Rail corridor. Branded "Flatiron Flyer", it travels in [[high-occupancy toll lane]]s along [[U.S. Route 36 in Colorado|US 36]] between Denver and Boulder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/News/ci_27270447/US-36-reconstruction-ongoing-as-is-branding-plan |title=U.S. 36 reconstruction ongoing as is branding plan |publisher=Denverpost.com |date=2014-11-06 |access-date=2015-04-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Whaley|first=Monte|title=RTD foots bill for study of northwest transit system, cities sign on|url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22518255/northwest-cities-start-sign-onto-fastracks-plan?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com|access-date=22 April 2013|newspaper=The Denver Post|date=February 4, 2013}}</ref> The consolidation of current express service between Denver and Boulder into this one system attracted criticism from Boulder residents, since increased frequencies were balanced with some service cuts - particularly to service patterns making the least number of stops between Boulder and Denver.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_27593581/boulder-council-rtd-proposals-have-broad-impacts |title=Boulder council: RTD proposals have broad impacts - Boulder Daily Camera |publisher=Dailycamera.com |date=2015-02-24 |access-date=2015-04-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_27572168/boulder-concerned-about-rtd-transit-plan-along-u |title=Boulder concerned about RTD transit plan along U.S. 36 - Boulder Daily Camera |publisher=Dailycamera.com |access-date=2015-04-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/News/Local/ci_27580431/RTD-proposes-cut-of-direct-Boulder-service |title=RTD proposes cut of direct Boulder service |date=22 February 2015 |publisher=Denverpost.com |access-date=2015-04-17}}</ref> Additionally, the [[ITDP]] classified the system as [[BRT creep|"not bus rapid transit"]], due to the use of lanes shared with private cars along US 36, the lack of street level boarding/alighting and the lack of an off-board fare system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/News/Local/ci_27392678/US-36-bus-transit-plan-is-not-what-it-seems-group-says |title=U.S. 36 bus transit plan is not what it seems, group says |date=25 January 2015 |publisher=Denverpost.com |access-date=2015-04-17}}</ref> A plan to allow Flatiron Flyer US 36 [[Shoulder (road)#Bus bypass shoulder|buses on shoulders]] during high-traffic periods required the 2016 state legislature to pass such authorization (passed on January 13, signed by the governor on March 9), effective May 1.<ref>[https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/earth_to_power/2016/04/rtds-denver-boulder-buses-will-use-shoulders-to.html RTD's Denver-Boulder buses will use shoulders to bypass jams]</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_29830002/flatiron-flyer-buses-okd-drive-u-s-36 | title=Flatiron Flyer buses OK'd to drive on U.S. 36 shoulders starting May 1 | date=29 April 2016 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Regional Transportation District]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.rtd-denver.com/fastracks}}
*[http://www.transitalliance.org/ The Transit Alliance] - A non-profit coalition promoting expanded rail and bus transit in the Denver Metro region.

{{RTD Bus & Light Rail}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fastracks}}
[[Category:Regional Transportation District]]
[[Category:Transportation in Denver]]
[[Category:Transportation in Aurora, Colorado]]
[[Category:Proposed public transportation in Colorado]]
[[Category:Transportation ballot measures in the United States]]
[[Category:Railway electrification in the United States]]