Major Changes in Downtown Denver This Summer

1.  This summer starting July 23 and lasting 3 weeks until August 15, the light rail lines going to Denver Union Station will not run, Routes C and E. This will be a major inconvenience for transit riders, but the light rail lines going to the 16th street mall will run. Two major construction changes will be done at the same time, so this is better for riders than 2 separate closures. One change is connecting the train tracks from the West Corridor to the tracks in the vicinity of the Auraria West station. The other project will locate the  3 tracks for all three light rail trains atnew white light rail station 3 blocks from the historic Denver Union Station. This means that the 16th street mall must extend several more blocks to serve those riders. No word on the cost of running this extended 16th street mall shuttle, though RTD will have to do it.

2. Other utility projects are occurring in the same area and it's difficult for people to cope with all the changes.  As a result, from now on, DUSPA will put out a weekly construction update with all construction closures and projects. One that affects the public more than previous utilities is the closing now of Wewatta and 15th & Delgany. Two buildings will have limited access. This is closer to the public than previous construction.

3. There is a new FASTER Grant Agreement in final form for $4 million with a $1 million match. (4 million from the city with $1 million from DUSPA.)

4. There is a small triangle of land, marked in red on the maps that could be "leftover" after the right of way is acquired by the city.  So they are getting an appraisal.  It would cost $20-25 thousand to pave it.  It could be built over, leaving a 15 foot right of way.  They do not want it sitting there unpaved when the project opens. 5. The DUSPA board approved a new policy regarding other projects.  They will not support any project, such as the proposed grocery store, that would "poach on any funds for DUSPA" but would support projects that would spur revenue to help repay the loans, but would look at projects on a case by case basis.  City Council representative Judy Montero at first expressed concerns about this policy, asking, "How fair is this policy?"   She reiterated that she is "raising her voice for the grocery at 20th and Chestnut which has requested support from DUSPA."

(Edited from a report by Edie Bryan to the board of the Colorado Rail Passenger Association. It sounds like Judy Montero might be the person to contact if you are concerned about the privatization of a public transportation resource. I put in a nice picture of winter construction to remind of cold during our hot weather.)