Printable VersionAlternative 7BB: Streetcar-Harlan/Ralston
NOTE: The route shown on this map and described below is conceptual and will change. RTD will continue to refine the route to avoid or minimize impacts to the extent that is feasible. Information below is up-to-date as of 4/1/07.
Description: Streetcar on arterial streets including 38th Avenue, Harlan and Ridge
Reason Dismissed: The electric commuter rail alternative was far more cost effective and outperformed the streetcar alternative in nearly all of the criteria categories. Additionally, the public, local governments and regulatory agencies all expressed overwhelming support for naming electric commuter rail as the preferred alternative for the Gold Line.
Proposed Technology: Streetcar
Proposed Route: Operating in-street beginning at Denver Union Station (DUS), following Wewatta St. to Park Ave., goes over I-25 on Park Ave. flyover to 38th,
west on 38th to Harlan, north on Harlan to 48th, west on 48th to Marshall, north on Marshall to Ralston Road, west on Ralston Road to Olde Wadsworth, south on Olde Wadsworth to Grandview Avenue, west on Grandview to Zephyr Street, south on Zephyr to Ridge Road, west on Ridge to Balsam Street, north on Balsam to Grandview, west on Grandview to Carr Street, south on Carr Street to Ridge, west on Ridge to Garrison Street, north on Garrison to Ridge, west on Ridge to Independence Street, south on Independence to Ridge, west on Ridge to Ward.
Option One w/ 7 Proposed Stations: Kalamath, Federal, Sheridan, 45th Ave., Olde Town, Arvada Ridge and Ward
Option Two w/ 18 Proposed Stations:
Kalamath, Tejon, Clay, Federal, Lowell, Tennyson, Sheridan, Harlan,
45th Ave., 48th Ave., 54th Ave., Lamar, Olde Town, Carr, Independence,
Arvada Ridge, Parfet and Ward
Detailed Evaluation Results: Mobility and Operational Analysis
| EVALUATION CRITERIA | RESULTS/COMMENTS |
| 2030 Travel Time: Ward Road to Union Station, compared with 50 minutes by car | 41 minutes |
| Avg. Weekday Ridership | 10,500 - 11,000 |
| Parking Demand (Station-specific demand will be determined in next phase of analysis) | 3,828 |
| Reliability of Service | Low - Operates 80% in shared right of way with vehicular traffic |
| Impact on Traffic (Impact of the transit vehicle on street traffic) | Moderate |
| Number of At-Grade Street Crossings | 125 |
Detailed Evaluation Results: Cost and Financial Analysis
| EVALUATION CRITERIA | RESULTS/COMMENTS |
| Capital Cost: Cost to construct the project in 2007 dollars | $362 million |
| Within FasTracks budget? (FasTracks budget is $463 million) | Yes |
| Eligible for Federal funding? (FasTracks assumes Gold Line uses federal funds) | Possible |
| Share Some Costs with Northwest Rail? (Sharing track and right of way saves money for both projects) | No |
| Operating Cost Per User (Cost of operating the line divided by the number of users) | $4.61 |
| Hours of Travel Time Saved per Day (Key measurement to qualify for Federal Funds) | 4,100 |
Detailed Evaluation Results: Community Benefits and Impacts
| EVALUATION CRITERIA | RESULTS/COMMENTS |
| Property Acquisitions (Estimated properties that would need to be purchased) | 0-6 Residential 7-14 Commercial .2 acres of parkland |
| Population Near Stations (Population within 1/2 mile of preliminary station locations) | 34,573 |
| Employment Near Stations (Jobs within 1/2 mile of preliminary station locations) | 35,300 |
| Construction Impacts | 2nd Fewest |
| Restricted Access During Construction | 453 businesses with restricted access during construction |
| Construction Duration | 30 months |
| Public and Agency Support | Mixed |
To view a more detailed map of this alternative, click here.
