A Line Opens Aprill 22 (Review of January East Rail Line Newsletter)

I have been thinking of writing the RTD Board with my reactions to the various attempts to keep people up to date with the FasTracks project. Communications with bus and train riders have improved some because some people, including me, complained. There is still some improvements that need to be made. Many of the contractors think they are writing construction porn rather than providing information for bus and train riders. Many forget that people walk and ride bikes, and that not everyone drives everywhere all the time.

To this edition of the East Rail Line Report. The East Rail Line has officially been renamed the A Line, and will open April 22. Trains are already running as drivers are being trained and trains are being tested. Drivers will blow the train horns during testing as quiet zones do not come into operation until everything is fully operational.

Benches and signs are being installed at the stations as we speak. Does anyone know if either is likely to be adequate?

You can read the full report by clicking here: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/ec_44. A link to get the reports by email is at the top of the page.

Tell the City of Denver we need more buses and sidewalks

Brighton Boulevard Design Public Meeting
Thursday, June 18, 5:30 - 7:30 (presentation at 6)
The Summit Church
3300 Larimer Street
Denver

I hope that people will ask the City of Denver to do more to build and maintain sidewalks. I hope that people will ask what the City of Denver means by multi-modal. Denver is in the bottom nationally for its support of buses and trains. Is any funding going to go for better bus service? Are people going to be able to get to and from the new commuter rail line? Are the bike paths going to be safe for people to bike on? Is there going to be any enforcement of traffic laws?

This may also be an opportunity to oppose the widening of I-70.

Tour the East Rail Line

East Rail Line Project Tour
Saturday, October 11, 10 am
starts and ends at Stapleton Park-n-Ride
8395 E. 36th Avenue
Denver
Bus: 28, 38, 43, 65, 73, 88, 89, 105, ABA, AS

I took the last tour and the program focuses on current construction and how the trains themselves will operate. This tour is being run by the construction and operations contractors so station areas being built by separate contractors are not covered by this tour although you do drive by and can see everything. This tour uses a local bus, and there is one stop for bathroom break.

This is the last east rail line tour of 2014, so to reserve one of the 35 spaces, call Joshua Solis at 303-297-5284 or email Joshua.Solis@dtpjv.com.

Town Hall on the Widening of I-70

Wednesday, October 1, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Cathedral of the Holy Transfiguration
349 East 47th Avenue
Denver
Bus: 3 blocks east of the 8 and 3 blocks west of the 12

This meeting is being organized by United North Metro Denver and will be hosted by Arturo Jiménez who represents this area on the Denver School Board.

We will be discussing environmental justice, various kinds of pollution, effects on children's education, and other related topics.

Personally, I think we should be doing everything we can to support the North and East Rail Lines rather than spending money and time on an outdated technology that causes climate change and diabetes.

East Line Open House

Saturday, September 13, 9 to 11 am
Swigert International School,
3480 Syracuse Street
Denver
Bus: 28 (Within walking distance of 38, 40, 43, 65, 73)

Breakfast is included along the ability to view with lots of equipment, both construction and rail. This is also an opportunity to view the "final" station designs. Contact Joshua Solis at 303-297-5284 or Joshua.Solis@dtpjv.com.

Take an East Line Tour that Starts in downtown Denver

Saturday, August 23, 10 am - noon
meet at
Union Station
1701 Wynkoop Street
Denver
Bus: Everything that goes to the bus box about a block away. Also within walking distance of the free Mall Shuttle.

The tour will take place on an RTD bus and will go all the way out to DIA. I am planning on going. To reserve seats contact Joshua Solis at 303-297-5284 or Joshua.Solis@dtpjv.com.

For more information click here.

East Rail Line Annual Open House

Saturday, October 12 at 11 am to 1 pm
Swigert International School, Cafetorium
3480 Syracuse Street
Denver
Bus: 28 (Buses going both directions stop at same stops, so pay attention when leaving.)
Also within walking distance of the 43, 65, and 73 buses, all of which run on Quebec. This location is also within walking distance of one of the proposed stations.

From the announcement:
Join the Regional Transportation District and its contractor, Denver Transit Partners, for our annual community open house! 

Get informed on our construction progress as we build the RTD FasTracks East Rail Line traveling between Union Station and Denver International Airport.
 
•See heavy construction equipment 
•View final station designs 
•Learn about the new train cars 

We’re serving hamburgers and hotdogs, so bring your family, friends and neighbors! 

For additional information, special needs request or to request Spanish translation, please contact Joshua Solis at 303.297.5284 orjoshua.solis@dtpjv.com.

I am hoping that Denver Transit Partners shows some awareness that this is not just a construction project.