It's simple ... not economically viable ... that must be why the pols focus on
it. First rule of politics: ignore all laws of nature, science and economics.
DP
RTD selects consultant to study feasibility of ‘peak service’ rail between
Denver and Longmont
RTD-DenverPhoto by: IVAN RODRIGUEZ By: Óscar ContrerasPosted at 1:49 PM, Feb
23, 2022 and last updated 1:49 PM, Feb 23, 2022
DENVER – Regional Transportation District (RTD) officials said Wednesday they
have selected an engineering firm to study the feasibility of implementing a
peak service rail schedule between Denver Union Station and downtown Longmont.
HDR Engineering Inc. was selected for the proposed Northwest Rail Line Peak
Service Study, which is expected to last two years and has the aim of providing
updated engineering and cost estimates to determine recommendations for the
proposed Northwest Rail Line, which would move people from Denver Union Station
to Broomfield, Louisville, Boulder and Longmont.
Recent Stories from thedenverchannel.com
“This feasibility study will provide RTD with public input and 2022 data that
will enable the agency and interested parties to utilize a common set of facts
in determining how best to serve the northern suburbs within the District,” RTD
General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said in a statement. "Like taxpayers
throughout RTD’s service area, residents of these communities have contributed
to the FasTracks transit-expansion program since its approval 18 years ago, and
they continue to express their support for rail service to this part of the
region. I anticipate that the collective efforts with HDR Engineering will
advance the path forward in a meaningful way."
RTD officials said the study will examine use of RTD’s existing B Line commuter
rail alignment, and the possibility of leasing BNSF Railway right-of-way and
tracks, to extend service during peak commuting hours from Westminster Station
— where the rail current ends — 35.3 miles north to Boulder and Longmont.
The plan to be studied would offer three morning trips from Longmont to Denver
and three evening trips from Denver to Longmont and will examine whether the
plan “would identify a viable option that would potentially enable RTD to
advance service to the northwest suburbs.”
The Northwest West Rail Line is the costliest of RTD’s unfinished FasTracks
projects at a current estimated cost of $1.5 billion. The agency estimates it
will take until 2050 to complete infrastructure improvements needed to operate
the rail line throughout the day between Denver and Longmont.
