Preferred Alternative

Since the beginning of the Gold Line Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the  Gold Line team has evaluated more than 20 possible alternatives. Under the National Environmental Policy Act, RTD is required to rigorously explore and objectively evaluate a reasonable range of alternatives.

The Gold Line team conducted increasingly detailed analysis at each of the four levels of EIS screening.  Many alternatives were ruled out early on -- either because of severe impacts, technical unfeasibility, unworkable cost or lack of community support. The remaining alternatives were refined and evaluated, until the Preferred Alternative (see map below) was selected in the summer of 2007.
 

NOTE: The route shown on this map and described below is conceptual and will change. Information is up to date as of 5/1/08.

Proposed Technology: Electric commuter rail (Click here for more information about commuter rail technology)

Proposed Route: Begins at Denver Union Station and ends at Ward Road. The Gold Line and Northwest Rail (the FasTracks project that will connect downtown Denver to Boulder and Longmont) will share the alignment from Denver Union Station to Pecos Street. Between Denver Union Station and Pecos Street, there are two route options: one in the railroad alignment and a second immediately east of the rail yards. From Pecos Street to Ward Road, the route is within the BNSF-Union Pacific (BN-UP) railroad corridor.

7 Proposed Stations: 38th Avenue, Pecos, Federal, Sheridan, Olde Town, Arvada Ridge and Ward Road

Length: 11.2 miles

Total Travel Time (from Denver Union Station to Ward Road): 19 minutes

Projected Ridership (average number of weekday riders): 20,000 people

2030 Parking Demand: 5,389 spaces


For more information on alternatives previously considered and dismissed, click here.