RTD Breaks Ground On New North Metro Rail Line
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4)- RTD broke ground on the new North Metro Rail Line for the latest phase of FasTracks on Thursday.
The rail line will run from Denver's Union Station into Thornton along Highway 7.
The official groundbreaking ceremony was Thursday near 124th Avenue in Thornton. The new rail line was originally scheduled for completion in 2042 but now construction should wrap up in 2018.
Gov. John Hickenlooper joined Rep. Ed Perlmutter along with Adams County Commissioners Charles "Chaz" Tedesco, Eva J. Henry and Erik Hansen at the groundbreaking.
"This type of transportation is needed in Adams County," said Tedesco. "You'll see us grow by leaps and bounds, and this rail line will help Adams County residents connect with the entire metro area."
The final six miles to 162nd Avenue/Colorado Highway 7 will be built as funds become available. Once completed, the line will run from Denver Union Station through north Denver, Commerce City, Thornton and Northglenn to northern Adams County.
Other RTD FasTracks rail lines under construction are the East Rail Line to Denver International Airport; the Gold Line to Arvada and Wheat Ridge; the I-225 Rail Line in Aurora; and the first segment of the Northwest Rail Line to Westminster. Also under construction are the express lanes along U.S. 36 between Denver and Boulder that will be part of RTD's U.S. 36 Bus Rapid Transit. All are scheduled to debut in 2016.