Other Multimodal Corridors

Next year, RTD also will begin 18 miles of bus rapid transit service along the U.S. 36 managed lanes being built by the Colorado Dept. of Transportation. RTD partnered with CDOT on the $317-million, 11-mile first phase of the U.S. 36 managed-lanes project, completed in July. The project added 12-ft-wide shoulders along the freeway that RTD buses can use when needed to optimize traffic flow, says Mark Gosselin, CDOT project director. The practice, also used in Minnesota, is starting to catch on nationally, he adds. "RTD is a big partner, so its buses must meet certain [schedules]" to help the managed toll-lane system to function as expected, Gosselin says.

The design-build project also includes an intelligent transportation system, both for drivers using the tolled lanes and riders on the bus rapid transit. The two-phased project also improves bus stations and adds a bike path that runs along most of the corridor alignment.

On the I-225 light-rail line, Kiewit's design-build team, including designer AECOM, jump-started the project with its unsolicited proposal and began construction six months into the 18-month design process. The connection between Aurora, Denver and the airport is expected to spur developments that will attract millennial talent and ridership (ENR Mountain States 8/25/14 p. MT39).

A big change order for Kiewit involved partnering with the city of Aurora on a key upgrade to its storm drainage system by installing 1,000 linear ft of 96-in.-dia. drainage pipe and 1,000 linear ft of 108-in.-dia. pipe, says Chuck Culig, RTD project manager. In 2013, the I-225 light-rail route was redirected by a half mile to avoid train vibrations that might disrupt sensitive instruments on the Anschutz Medical Campus, located near the rail line.

Connectivity on all levels will continue to be key as RTD eyes more work ahead. "We just got authority to award a design-build contract for the Southeast two-mile extension," says Genova, adding that, along with local groups contributing $25 million, RTD expects to hear back about a federal funding grant of $92 million by next spring.

Overall, though, "a significant amount is still needed" for FasTracks, says Genova. "We are only building the first six miles of the Northwest rail project. It's very sensitive politically."

The first 12.5 out of 18.5 miles of the North metro line, which includes what will be the longest bridge—at 9,533 ft—in Colorado, is slated to finish in 2018. "We have no funding right now for an extension of six miles and two stations," says Genova.

RTD is also seeking funding for a two-mile downtown light-rail extension, which would hook up with the airport line, and for a future 2.5-mile Southwest light-rail extension. "The job's not finished," says Genova, "but, given the circumstances and economic conditions under which FasTracks started, we've accomplished a great deal."