Construction at Nine Mile requires train boarding change

In the very near future, Nine Mile Station near I-225 and Parker Road in Aurora, will no longer be an end-of-line station for RTD's light rail system.

When the R Line opens, the new end-of-line station, Peoria Station (at Peoria and I-70), will be on the north end; and the H Line will end at Florida Station (Florida and I-225).

I-225 work on median bridge near Nine Mile Station

Work just north of the Nine Mile Station

Before these changes can take place, the I-225 Rail Line project team must conduct what's called a "cutover" or "tie-in."

The first part of construction to tie in elements of the new system with the current system's elements took place during October 2015.

Final work

Crews will be working to finish the process beginning Sunday, Dec. 6 through Saturday, Dec. 12.

The work will require passengers to board and de-board trains from the same inbound side during construction. Transit security officers will be at the station to make sure people know where to go during the morning and evening peak hours. Signs will also be placed advising passengers where to get on and off the trains.

This work will not impact train service itself.

The 'cutover' explained

Crews began the cutover at Nine Mile Station by integrating the overhead contact system (OCS), or the wires that power the light rail train.

Work will continue throughout the days and nights, including weekends.

Other critical systems to be tied in later include track switches, SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition), signals, communications and rail. Learn more about RTD systems here.

The cutover/tie-in work is starting more than a year before the R Line opens.

Minimizing impact

"This helps to facilitate the later cutover and minimizes impacts to the traveling public," said Barber.

Rider Alert sign about changes taking place at Nine Mile Station

Work crews will began the cutover by de-energizing and replacing and installing new overhead electric lines.

RTD normally parks trains in the area just to the north of the Nine Mile Station platform area to have them ready for use throughout the day.

However, during the cutover process, train staging will be limited.

During this time, passenger boarding and de-boarding locations will change.

Again, signage will be placed at the station to direct passengers to the proper locations.

If it's up, it's electrified

The public should be aware that overhead electric lines may be energized at any time. Don't ever go near them. See more safety information here.

The I-225 Rail Line is a 10.5-mile light rail line within the cities of Aurora and Denver that will provide key regional connections to the East and Southeast rail lines.

This new R line, which is scheduled to open at the end of 2016, will connect to such major activity centers as the Aurora City Center, Anschutz Medical Center and Denver International Airport through a transfer at Peoria Station to the A Line.