DENVER—The Regional Transportation District board of directors has voted unanimously to approve a plan to use both commuter rail and buses to provide rapid transit from Denver to Longmont over a phased timeframe.
RTD originally hoped to build a 41-mile rail line from Denver to Longmont by 2020, but costs have ballooned while tax revenues to fund construction have been lower than expected.
The plan that was approved Tuesday involves building 12 miles of rail by 2022 from Denver to Church Ranch Boulevard in Westminster and using buses the rest of the way until a full rail line is built. The full line is projected to be completed by 2032. However, that schedule depends on asking voters in November to approve a 0.4 percent sales tax increase.
