RTD plans to start hauling passengers on the southeast corridor light-rail line Nov. 17, 2006, about a month earlier than originally planned, officials said today.
Trains will operate free for several days of introductory service, said Regional Transportation District General Manager Cal Marsella.
The train line is being built as part of the $1.67 billion Transportation Expansion Project, known as T-REX, on Interstate 25 and Interstate 225 in southeast metro Denver. T-REX includes 19 miles of light rail along I-25 and I-225 and 17 miles of highway expansion in the same corridors.
All the highway and rail construction is scheduled for completion by Sept. 1 and RTD plans to spend about two and a half months testing the southeast rail line and training operators of light-rail cars.
T-REX project director Larry Warner said it is difficult enough to finish a transportation “megaproject” on-time and on-budget, so “to complete and open (the southeast rail line) ahead of schedule is fantastic.”
Opening of the southeast line will more than double the size of RTD’s rail system. Currently, the agency has 16 miles of light rail.
