BMF Project Newsletter - Fall 2008

RTD Expands Bus Maintenance Facility Site Evaluation
RTD needs to relocate its existing Platte Division Bus Maintenance Facility in order for the new FasTracks Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility to be built on the existing Platte Division site. The site is not large enough to support both facilities. RTD is planning on relocating the 300-bus facility to one location.

Earlier this year, RTD identified one preferred site for the relocated facility, the former Denver Post site on the southwest corner of I-25 and I-70. However, when questions about the potential cost of purchasing that site arose, RTD expanded its Bus Maintenance Facility site evaluation to include additional locations while still considering the former Denver Post site to ensure that the most suitable location(s) for the bus maintenance functions are thoroughly evaluated.  

A basic feasibility screening was conducted in August to identify sites that should be evaluated in more detail.  That screening found five feasible sites that are being evaluated for the relocated Bus Maintenance Facility:

• Fox South Option - Southwest corner of I-25 and I-70
• Fox North Option - North side of W. 48th Avenue and Fox Street (North of I-70)
• 51st West Option - E. 51st Avenue West of Washington Street
  
• 51st East Option - Northeast corner of E. 51st Avenue and Emerson Street
• 54th Option - Southeast corner of E. 54th Avenue and Washington Street

Next Steps in the Site Evaluation
In the coming months, RTD will evaluate a number of factors before recommending a preferred site for the relocated facility.  The primary factors that will be analyzed include:

• Adequate acreage to support a site layout capable of accommodating a 300-bus facility
• Good access in and out of the site
• Cost-effectiveness (capital and operating costs)
• Current and planned zoning and land use
• Community input

After considering these and other factors, RTD will select a site for the relocated Bus Maintenance Facility and begin designing the facility.  RTD plans to complete this evaluation and make the selection by the end of 2008.

RTD is committed to working with the neighboring communities during the site evaluation process to ensure that community input is one of the factors in its decision-making process. Once a site is selected, RTD will partner with the communities near that site and the access routes to it in an effort to make sure that the site is designed and developed in a community-sensitive manner. 



Bus Maintenance Facility Activities
The Platte Division Bus Maintenance Facility that needs to be relocated performs light maintenance (e.g. cleaning, fueling and minor repairs). The chart below summarizes the type of activities that occur at the facility.



How to Get Involved
For more information on public involvement opportunities, to schedule a meeting with the project team or to submit comments, please contact us:

Online: www.RTD-FasTracks.com
Email:
Phone: (303) 299-2000
Mail: RTD Bus Maintenance Facility Team, c/o GBSM Inc., 600 17th St., #2020-S, Denver, CO 80202.