WELCOME

The West Corridor continues to move forward as the “Issued for Construction” plans have been released to RTD and Denver Transit Construction Group. This means that DTCG can now prepare to start full construction on the corridor later this year. We're excited to share information about the project with you, but it's important that you become a subscriber to our e-newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter or to familiarize yourself with the tools available to you on The West Corridor Web site click here

February 2009

In this issue you will find:

Construction Update – Read about current and anticipated construction activities

FasTracks Survey Results Soar –Find out how the general public responded to RTD’s latest FasTracks survey

FasTracks Video – Check out the most recent FasTracks video

How do I get or stay involved?Find out where to get more information on meetings and events, and the best ways to have your questions answered

Lakewood Dry Gulch
Crews from Edward Kraemer and Sons will soon be departing the Lakewood Dry Gulch, as both light rail bridges have reached substantial completion.However, new crews will soon be moving into the same general area gearing up to begin work on the retaining walls on the bridge approaches and to begin gulch improvements.

Crews are currently pouring the pier caps (tops of columns) on the pedestrian bridges at Tennyson Street and Hazel Court. The “superstructures” for these bridges are being fabricated off site and will be placed by early-summer.

Storm Sewer/Storm Drainage Upgrades
Crews are finishing improvements to the storm drainage system on the west side of Pierce Street between 10^th Avenue and 13^th Avenue. Work on Pierce will require lane closures, but the street will remain open until crews reach 13^th Avenue. At that time, approximately February 17, 13^th Avenue between Pierce Street and Quay Street will be closed for two to three days to allow crews to cross pipes through the intersection and into the RTD guide way. Street parking on the west side of Pierce could be limited during this construction activity. Dependent upon weather, this work will continue for one to two weeks.

Kipling Walls
Crews continue placing Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls for the light rail bridge approaches on both the east and west sides of Kipling Street. This work should not impact traffic, as crews will be working in the RTD right-of-way.  You may, however, notice construction equipment moving in and out of the area at the intersections of Lakewood Heights Drive and Kipling Street on the east and 13^th Avenue and Kipling Street on the west.

FASTRACKS PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY
An increasing number of metro area residents believe that the FasTracks transit expansion program is a good idea. In the recent FasTracks Public Opinion Survey, 83 percent of respondents believe that FasTracks was a “good decision” when voters passed FasTracks in 2004. That is up seven percent from the 2007 poll. The majority of those surveyed also expressed a clear desire for FasTracks to be built within the original time frame, with 63 percent indicating that they would support an additional tax increase if necessary to get it completed by 2017. The phone survey was conducted in early January through a random sampling of residents across the RTD district.

Overall respondents give high marks to RTD and its current service. When asked about the quality of RTD services, 72% said their impression was either “good” or “excellent.”

Public transportation ranked as the third most important issue facing the Denver-metro area, behind the economy and employment/jobs. Respondents also show a clear concern about the rising costs of building FasTracks.

The survey results are another information tool to assist the RTD Board of Directors and the region’s mayors as they determine the best direction for the FasTracks program. To see all the survey results, click here

NEW FASTRACKS VIDEO
One of the ways the FasTracks team keeps the public updated and informed about the program is through periodic short videos. This year’s video focuses on the critically important role that FasTracks plays in the economy, especially during the current challenges and the program’s long-term contributions to the sustainability and quality of life for our region.

Check out our latest FasTracks video online at: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_124.

HOW CAN I GET (OR STAY) INVOLVED?
One of the best ways to get the latest information on the West Corridor construction phase is to ensure we have your e-mail address. Our periodic e-mails will provide you with information essential to being an active participant. As the project evolves and develops, it will be important to keep all members of the community informed on construction activities. Tell your friends and neighbors to sign up on our e-mail list to receive up-to-date information, and if your e-mail address changes, please notify us.

Don’t forget to visit our Web site where you’ll find all the latest information about the West Corridor.

Where Can I Get More Information?

Web site:        http://www.RTD-FasTracks.com

E Mail:             WestCorridor@RTD-FasTracks.com

Phone:             Kathy Berumen, 303-626-6762

                        Brenda Tierney, 303-299-2401              

Mail:                RTD West Corridor

                        1560 Broadway Suite 700   FAS-WC

                        Denver, CO 80202