Demolition has been a big part of the project recently and will continue for the next few months as the area behind Union Station is prepared for the excavation of the second half of the underground bus terminal. I took the first photo below eight days ago from 16th Street. The area covered with white plastic contained small amounts of asbestos which has been mostly contained and removed. I took the second photo four days ago from the roof that’s attached to the back of Union Station. Jerry Nery, RTD’s DUS Project Manager, Luke O’Kelley of Union Station Advocates, and I climbed out of a window in RTD’s second floor offices to that roof for a unique perspective of the project.

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Almost all of the passenger platforms and canopies behind Union Station have now been demolished, and most of the debris has been hauled away. After the new light rail and mall shuttle stations open for passengers in mid-July, the old stations will be demolished. Once excavation resumes, the historic tunnel will go. I learned from Mr. Nery that there is a second tunnel that is closer to 16th Street. I am not clear if that will remain or if it is also in the path of the bus terminal.

Wondering how the new bus terminal stacks up against the Market Street Station? Here is a photo of a photo on Jerry Nery’s office wall.  It is an illustration drawn to scale of the two terminals.

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In other news, backfilling and concrete work continue. As I write this, there are eight cement trucks lined up for the most recent pour at the entrance/exit ramp of the bus terminal.

Please see our Denver Union Station page at JobSiteVistor.com for more photos.