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Archive of entries posted on September 2010
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Halfway to Opening Day!

Posted by  on September 29, 2010

RTD and its local and regional partners celebrated the West Corridor’s halfway point this morning in a ceremony at Paco Sanchez Park. Attached here is RTD’s Press Release regarding the event. Only about two and a half more years until we can ride the train all the way west to the Jefferson County Courthouse!

Some quick West Corridor construction facts to tide us over until the next construction update later this week:

  • RTD signed a Notice to Proceed (NTP) on Jun. 16, 2009, partnering with Denver Transit Construction Group (DTCG).
  • Crews have been at work along the corridor for nearly two and half years. Pre-construction activities (such as utility work) kicked off in April 2008.
  • Construction along the corridor is expected to be complete in January 2013 (a year ahead of the original schedule) with the corridor opening for revenue service in May 2013.
  • 15 bridges, flyovers, and tunnels are either complete or currently under construction with the three planned pedestrian bridges already complete.
  • Construction has begun on all 12 stations. Elevator shaft work has started at both the Wadsworth and Red Rocks Community College stations.
  • Current construction progress includes:
    • Right-of-Way (ROW) purchases are nearly 90% complete.
    • All light rail vehicles are ready for opening-day service.
    • Dry utility (power, cable, etc.) relocations are 78% complete.
    • Sound walls are 50% complete.
    • Drainage at the main drainage structures (mostly within Lakewood Gulch) is 75% complete.
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Filed under FasTracks, Transit, Transportation.
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Union Station Update #37

Posted by  on September 28, 2010

The temporary Amtrak terminal at 21st and Wewatta streets is expected to be  finished in early October.  However, since the temporary tracks on the other side of Wewatta are still in the early stages of construction, the terminal will not be in use until the spring.

Hunter Sydnor, Kiewit‘s Public Information Officer, gave me a tour of the building on Friday afternoon.  The photo on the left is the passenger waiting area.  On the right is the ticket counter.  Nice touch with the arches.

Behind the public areas of the building are offices, an employee lounge, shower facilities for train crews, and a large room for baggage.

The following photo is the scene across the street.  Wewatta Street is to the right and Coors Field is to the left.  The open trench is full of conduit.  Much work remains before this area is ready for the California Zephyr.    Foundations and utility work need to be completed.  The tracks will be laid.  And the passenger platform must be built.

Please see our Denver Union Station page at JobSiteVistor.com for more photos of the Amtrak building.

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Filed under Government & Civic, Infill, Transit, Union Station.
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South Lincoln Park Redevelopment Breaks Ground

Posted by  on September 28, 2010

Yesterday, the groundbreaking ceremony was held for the first building in the multi-year $250 million redevelopment of Denver Housing Authority’s South Lincoln Homes near the 10th & Osage light rail station. Once complete later this decade, the redevelopment will more than triple the number of housing units and add commercial uses to the mix. This first new building is an 8-story, 100-unit apartment tower for seniors.

John Rebchook, formerly with the Rocky Mountain News and now doing a fantastic job at his Inside Real Estate News blog, has a full article on the South Lincoln project (with renderings!) here.

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Filed under Infill, La Alma Lincoln Park, Residential, Transit-Oriented.
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Union Station Update #36

Posted by  on September 26, 2010

For at least a year, we’ve seen renderings of the public spaces in front of Union Station and renderings of the wing buildings that will frame the station on each side.  The earliest possible signs of progress are now visible.  Three samples of pavers are on display in front of the station.  The display pictured below includes one of the paver samples and a sample of material to be used on the sides of the 18th Street Bridge that will cross the seven sets of tracks behind the station.

What in the world are these ….

A good guess might have something to do with aliens, but that would be wrong.  They are graphics  painted on the surface of the parking areas in front of and beside Union Station.  The blue one is one of four that identify the locations of the corners of the fountain that will be to the left of the station entrance.  There are several (I believe 15) orange markings. Four of them identify the corners of the area containing the clump of trees called a bosque.  It will be to the right side of the station entrance.  The other orange markings identify the corners of the wing buildings that will be on opposite sides of the station building.  For reference, here are the renderings: fountain, tree bosque, and IMA Financial’s new headquarters building which will be one of the two wing buildings.

Please see our Denver Union Station page at JobSiteVistor.com for photos of other areas of the project.

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Filed under Government & Civic, Infill, Transit, Union Station.
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