Work’s gotten in the way of posting as of late, but there’s some big news from RTD regarding the East Corridor and the rest of the Eagle Project.

Yesterday, RTD issued the offical Notice to Proceed to their selected Eagle Project concessionaire –  Denver Transit Partners (DTP) – for Phase 1 of the Eagle Project which includes the East Corridor, Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility (located near 48th and Fox), new commuter rail train cars, as well as final design work on both the Gold Line and Northwest Rail Electrified Segment (NWES). The Notice to Proceed came following the agreement of a $1.649 billion construction deal. Phase 2 includes the Gold Line to Wheat Ridge and Arvada as well as the NWES to South Westminster at 71st and Lowell. Phase 2’s NTP is expected as some point next year as RTD works to secure Federal funds through a Full Funding Grant Agreement.

Even better news, especially in these tough economic times, the Eagle Project is expected to provide an estimated 5,400 jobs at the peak of construction (2012 & 2013) – this would include direct and indirect employment numbers.

RTD and DTP signed a 34-year contract in which RTD will make annual payments to DTP for their investment in addition to operating and maintaining the corridor(s). For more info on DTP, check out their website at www.denvertransitpartners.com. DTP is lead by the Fluor Corporation of Irving, Texas, and Macquerie Group of Sydney, Australia. Other team members include Balfour Beatty Rail, ACI, and Ames Construction. More information on the Eagle Project can be found at http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/ep3_2.

Groundbreaking on the East Corridor is planned for Thursday, August 26 at DIA.