Alternative 4: DMU-BN/UP

Description: Diesel Commuter Rail on the BN-UP Rail Corridor

Reason Dismissed: Dismissed,
pending further RTD Board discussion, due to higher potential for
noise/vibration impacts in Olde Town Arvada and public perceptions of
diesel commuter rail.

Proposed Technology: Diesel commuter rail

Proposed Route: BNSF-Union Pacific (BN-UP) corridor between Denver Union Station (DUS) and Ward Road

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

EVALUATION CRITERIA	RESULTS/COMMENTS
Fulfills Project's Purpose & Need	YES
Affordability/ Cost-Effectiveness	YES: $433 Million (Gold Line Budget $462 Million +/- 10%)
Environmental Impacts	Impacts are about equal to the Locally Preferred Alternative identified in the 2000 Major Investment Study   Most impacts in the BNSF/Union Pacific Right of Way    No visual effect from catenary   Concerns about diesel pollution
Community Impacts/Benefits	18 properties that need to be purchased   18,535 population w/in ½ mile of stations
Consistency with local plans	YES
Mobility Improvements	Travel time from Ward Rd. to DUS approximately 25 minutes   Travel time by auto from Ward Rd. to DUS projected to be 50 min. in 2030   Preliminary Ridership Projection: 14,000 to 17,000 per day
Community and Agency Support	TBD

For a complete matrix of data comparing Level 2 Analysis of Alternative 4 to other Gold Line Alternatives, click here.