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FAQs

Q. Where is the West Rail Line, anyway?
A. The West Rail Line line will travel from Denver Union Station (in downtown Denver near the Auraria campus) to the Jefferson County Government Center. The alignment will follow 13th Avenue through the Two Creeks and Eiber neighborhoods and then turn south through the Lakewood Industrial Park (just west of Oak Street) where it crosses 6th Avenue into the Federal Center. After leaving the Federal Center, the line will travel along the south side of 6th Avenue until just east of Indiana Street where the tracks cross to the north side of 6th Avenue and continue to the Jeffco Government Center. Click to see a video that shows station locations and alignment.

Q. How loud will the LRT be and will there be vibration from the trains?
A. The study team has identified all sources of noise and vibration, any facilities or homes that might be impacted, and mitigation measures. In general, at speeds that light rail is anticipated to operate in the parks and adjacent to residences, it has been proven to be so quiet that trains must be equipped with systems of bells and horns as a safety precaution.

Q. How much parking will there be?
A. More than 4,500 new parking spaces are planned along the line. Parking is planned at the Decatur/Federal, Sheridan, Wadsworth, Oak, Federal Center and Jeffco Government Center stations.

Q. How will RTD mitigate traffic congestion around stations with park-n-Rides?
A. The technical team is looking very closely at the most efficient flow of traffic in and out of all park-n-Rides. Traffic efficiencies will be achieved through access modifications, signal improvements and alternative routes into and out of park-n-Rides that will minimize traffic congestion. Transportation improvements on the West Rail Line are meant to improve congestion beyond what the traffic would be otherwise.

Q. What streets will be closed along the line?
A. There are seven street closures due to the West Rail Line. They are Marshall, Otis, Vance, Allison, Brentwood, Holland and Nelson Streets. Any streets that are currently closed across 13th Avenue will remain closed. 13th Avenue will still be open, you will just have to turn right or left when arriving at any of the closed streets

Q. What will the stations look like?
Click to see the designs for the stations from the 65% plans. They have changed slightly due to budget constraints. To see some of the changes since these drawings click here.

Q. How safe is Light Rail?
A. Research indicates that LRT is safer than automobile traffic. In many parts of the country, including downtown Denver, light rail lines run along city streets with a limited number of incidents. Still, RTD continually evaluates ways to make LRT even safer. Safety is one of RTD's priorities for all its corridors.

Q. How much right-of-way is needed to build light rail along the West Rail alignment?
A. While this number can vary depending on exact locations along the alignment, in general, light rail needs a minimum of 32 feet to run a double track system, excluding stations and park-n-Rides.

Q. How will light rail affect my property's value?
A. Property values may decrease during construction. In other markets where LRT was implemented, property values of homes and businesses within a half-mile of a station  increased in value once the line was open. In Portland, Oregon residential and commercial property values continue to rise around light rail stations. To see more information on property values across the country, click here and scroll down to property value info.