A Mile-high Transit Plan

This article describes how Denver, Colorado’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) FasTracks plan is transforming the metropolitan area’s public transit system and quality of life for its residents. The details of RTD’s FasTracks program include expanding the current 35-mile RTD system by 122 miles of both light-rail and commuter rail, redeveloping Denver Union Station and building 18 miles of rail and bus transit which is either in construction or will soon be in construction. The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), the regional metropolitan planning organization, projected that the metro area would grow by another one million people by 2025. The FasTrack planning process began in 1999 and was fine-tuned with more detail in 2002-2003 with input from regional elected officials. The plan was unanimously supported by all 31 mayors of the Denver metro area, as well as the business community and environmental groups, all who had the foresight of how the transit expansion plan would serve as a catalyst for smart growth, economic development and better quality of life. Most of the program will be completed by 2017. However, due to major economic challenges, unprecedented increases in the cost of construction materials and lower than projected sales tax revenues due to the recession, the rest of the program will be done as revenues become available.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1763403
• Authors:
  • Wanek-Libman, Mischa
• Publication Date: 2012-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 38-42
• Serial:
  • Railway Track and Structures
  • Volume: 108
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0033-9016

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economic development; Light rail transit; Public transit; Quality of life; Railroad commuter service; Transportation planning
• Identifier Terms: Denver Regional Council of Governments
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01449817
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 22 2012 9:14AM