Alternative 6DD: LRT-Sheridan/Ridge

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 2/5/07.

Description: Light Rail Transit on arterial streets including 38th Avenue and Sheridan

Reason Dismissed: Alternative was over budget and would have caused much greater impacts without providing much better service than other alternatives.

Technology: Light Rail

Route: Operating in-street beginning at Denver Union Station (DUS), following Wewatta St. to Park Avenue, flyover on Park Ave. to 38th Avenue, west on 38th to Sheridan Boulevard, north on Sheridan to Ralston Road, west on Ralston to Olde Wadsworth, south on Olde Wadsworth to Ridge Road, west on Ridge Road to Ward.

7 Proposed Stations: Kalamath, Federal, Sheridan/38th, Sheridan/I-76, Olde Town, Kipling, 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	34 minutes
Avg. Weekday Ridership	13,200 - 13,600
Parking Demand (Station-specific demand will be determined in next phase of analysis)	4,166
Reliability of Service	Low - Operates 27% in shared right of way with vehicular traffic
Impact on Traffic (Impact of the transit vehicle on street traffic)	Moderate/High
Number of At-Grade Street Crossings	96

Detailed Evaluation Results: Cost and Financial Analysis

EVALUATION CRITERIA	RESULTS/COMMENTS
Capital Cost: Cost to construct the project in 2007 dollars	$518 million
Within FasTracks budget? (FasTracks budget is $463 million)	No
Eligible for Federal funding? (FasTracks assumes Gold Line uses federal funds)	No
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)	$2.99
Hours of Travel Time Saved per Day (Key measurement to qualify for Federal Funds)	4,800

Detailed Evaluation Results: Community Benefits and Impacts

EVALUATION CRITERIA	RESULTS/COMMENTS
Property Acquisitions (Estimated properties that would need to be purchased)	100-120 Residential 30-36 Commercial 3.3 acres of parkland
Population Near Stations (Population within 1/2 mile of preliminary station locations)	34,180
Employment Near Stations (Jobs within 1/2 mile of preliminary station locations)	35,800
Construction Impacts	Most
Restricted Access During Construction	353 businesses with restricted access during construction
Construction Duration	36-40 months
Public and Agency Support	Low

To view a more detailed map of this alternative, click here.