DENVER — Three Denver light rail lines will resume Downtown Loop service on Sept. 29 following the completion of significant construction. The three lines, D, H, and L, had been detouring to Denver Union Station.
After nearly 30 years, RTD is investing in its oldest rail infrastructure to ensure the long-term integrity of the network. Light rail service began in Denver on Oct. 7, 1994, with 5.3 miles of track connecting 30th Avenue and Downing Street to Interstate 25 and Broadway. Much of today’s downtown track infrastructure, commonly referred to as the Downtown Loop, has been in place since the line was first constructed. This section of track has expanded over the years to now serve 10 rail stations on the D, H and L lines, with street-level trains operating adjacent to pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
The near-term work will occur in four phases, with the first phase commencing in June 2024, focusing on track at five key intersections in the Downtown Loop. Phases two through four of the approximately $152 million-dollar, full-depth reconstruction project will occur in 2025.
Phase I construction wrapped up on Aug. 29, six weeks ahead of schedule. However, safety testing is required before light rail can resume Downtown Loop service on the reconstructed lines.
