PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION LIFTING THE ECONOMY

In a recent study conducted by the American Public Transportation Association, a report, "Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment" states that for every $1 billion invested in public transportation capital and operations, an average of 36,000 jobs are supported. These jobs generate an average of $3.6 billion in business sales and generate nearly $500 million in federal, state, and local tax revenues. The report further indicates that on a national average; for every $1 invested in public transportation, $4 is generated in economic returns. This average depends on the local conditions of the region in which they are estimated; however the generated economic returns in some locations have been up to $9 for every $1 invested.

The generated economic returns are defined by short term and long term benefits including immediate green jobs which generate income through manufacturing, construction, and operation of public transit vehicles. Green jobs generate a green American economy; which helps the environment by reducing the number of individualized vehicles on the road. Investment in public transportation should create and support millions of jobs over the next six years when public improvement projects reach an all time high. This report demonstrates how public transit can put Americans back to work by also helping the environment and boosting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
 

A LOOK AHEAD TO 2010

2010 looks to be an exciting year for the West Corridor team. The plan is to have the bridges at Colfax, Wadsworth, Dry Gulch and 6th Avenue completed this year and light rail bridges over the Platte River and the Consolidated Main Line started. Construction of the street bridge at Decatur will begin and the pedestrian bridges at Tennyson and Hazel Court are scheduled to open for residents wishing to cross over the gulch on foot. Work already started on the bridges at Indiana, Sheridan and Federal will continue throughout the year and into 2011.

6th Avenue will be closed completely over a weekend in April to roll out the signature arch bridge that will carry the light rail trains over 6th Avenue into and out of the Federal Center. In addition, in 2010, girders will be set on the Indiana Bridge requiring closures of 6th Avenue and Indiana Street. As these closure dates approach, the West Corridor PI team will keep motorists advised of dates, times and alternate routes. Lane closures along 6th Avenue between Indiana and Union will be required as crews relocate the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) overhead message sign and begin construction of the light rail tunnel under Union Blvd.

This year will also feature retaining walls popping up all along the corridor and crews beginning construction of sound walls in residential areas. Construction of the parking areas at the Jefferson County Government Center, the Federal Center and Oak Street should also begin this year.

Phase 1 of construction (which included bridges, removal of vegetation and the preparation of storage and staging areas) will be substantially completed in 2010. Phase 2 of construction, which includes construction of ballast walls, the installation of duct banks, sub-ballast and foundations for the overhead electrical systems, will begin this year.

Also in 2010, RTD will have possession of all necessary right-of-way for the West Corridor and a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued for a contractor to bid on designing and building the parking structures at Wadsworth and Sheridan.
 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – AREA 1 (Jeffco Government Center to Denver Federal Center)

Current and Ongoing Activities
Construction on the west end of the corridor continues in earnest with changes developing daily. The drainage culvert at Ulysses Street should be completed in February and crews will then begin rebuilding Ulysses Street. Ulysses will remain closed through at least May 2010. Retaining walls continue to be built along 6th Avenue, west of Union, and this activity will continue for several months. The Colfax Bridge concrete deck will be poured in segments, which will require intermittent lane closures on Colfax as work progresses. Work on top of I-70 is complete and construction of the walls and tunnel in the area will continue without interrupting traffic on I-70. Progress on the Indiana Bridge is evident in the skyline and Edward Kraemer and Sons’ crews are pouring concrete slabs, one section at a time. Utility work along the south frontage road between Union and Indiana has reached significant completion and crews are currently working on storm drainage improvements from Colfax to I-70.

Upcoming Activities
Redesign of the tunnel under Union is nearing completion and DTCG is working on the traffic control plans to begin work as soon as March, 2010. Later this month, the CDOT sign over eastbound 6th Avenue near Red Rocks Community College will be relocated slightly to the west. CDOT, RTD and DTCG are currently devising a traffic control plan that would close the left hand lanes of 6th Avenue in both directions to facilitate this relocation. By implementing these lane closures, construction activities that could have continued for 4 -6 weeks, will be reduced to 10 days or less. This methodology will significantly minimize the impact to commuters traveling on 6th Avenue. As early as February, construction could begin on the retaining walls at the Jefferson County Government Center. These unique walls will aesthetically blend into the existing landscape. The existing bike path south of the Government Center will close for this activity and pedestrians and bikers will be redirected down Johnson Road to Fossil Trace Golf Course.
 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE AREA 2 (East of the Federal Center to Sheridan)

Current and Ongoing Activities
Construction in Area 2 has significantly increased this past month and activity just east and west of Wadsworth is heaviest. On the west side, crews are working on a drainage culvert along 13th Avenue. This month, trenching for the culvert will be concentrated in the area between Ammons and Zephyr. To accommodate residents that live between Zephyr and Wadsworth, a temporary crossing over the RTD right-of-way has been opened at Yarrow Street. This allows residents easy access to their homes, avoiding the construction area to the greatest degree possible. The temporary pedestrian bridge at Yarrow is closed but the sidewalk from Yukon east to Wadsworth is now open to allow foot traffic through to Wadsworth.

Demolition of vacant buildings along Wadsworth and 14th Avenue has allowed DTCG to enlarge their storage and staging yard on the east side of Wadsworth. With the increased vacant land along 14th Avenue, DTCG and their subs can now access the construction yard via 14th Avenue and residents on Vance Street should experience less construction vehicle traffic. Construction of the Wadsworth Bridge is moving quickly as abutments continue to rise on both sides of the street. Wadsworth will close overnight later this year so crews can place the girders on this bridge. Personal notice via door hangers will be provided to local residents and Variable Message Signs will be placed along Wadsworth and Colfax for traveling motorists in advance of this operation.

Crews have mobilized back into the guideway area east of Kipling. This activity will be confined within the walls approaching the Kipling Bridge.

The northern most girders of the 6th Avenue Bridge were set in late December and now span the Frontage Road north of 6th Avenue. Crews will continue working on the deck for the next few months. Again, DTCG anticipates rolling this bridge into place across 6th Avenue in April of 2010. This operation will require significant coordination with CDOT to institute a complete weekend closure of 6th Avenue in both directions.

Along with the drainage work west of Wadsworth, drainage and storm sewer improvements are currently taking place at North Avenue on the Federal Center, at Collins Street just east of Simms and on Harlan Street at 13th Avenue. Harlan Street has been closed to through traffic from 11th Avenue to 14th Avenue while DTCG and Lakewood work on sanitary sewer and drainage improvements. While Harlan is closed to through traffic, local business access remains open. Pedestrians will be kept to the west side of Harlan until activities require them to detour completely away from this area for a few days.

Upcoming Activities
Wall construction east of Wadsworth will begin next week. Both north and south 13th Avenue will close to through traffic from Teller to Wadsworth on Monday, January 18 for approach wall construction. Local access will be provided for those residents living between Teller and Wadsworth on 13th Avenue. Wall construction along the guideway from Collins to Quail will also begin next week. This activity will be confined to the RTD right-of-way and should not impact motorists. The enclosure of the Wight Lateral ditch will begin in the next few weeks. The currently open ditch will be put into an underground pipe from Quail Street to Miller Street. In some areas, the ditch will be moved to the north a few feet, but for the most part will stay in its existing location.
 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE AREA 3 (East of Sheridan to the Auraria Campus)

Current and Ongoing Activities
Sheridan Boulevard remains a two-lane road as work there is ongoing. Lawrence Construction continues to dig caissons for the street bridge and building demolition is still in progress. The properties on the north side of the gulch (west of Sheridan) have been demolished and the properties on the south side should be demolished within the next month. These demolitions allow DTCG crews to expand their work zone along Sheridan between 10th and 14th Avenues.

Excavation and wall operations continue in the gulch between Sheridan and Perry. A lot of heavy equipment is moving through this area, so please use caution if you are in or around the gulch. Pedestrians are encouraged to stay out of the construction zone, as their safety is a high priority for RTD and DTCG.

Crews mobilized into the area just south of Howard Place, between Federal and Decatur on January 12 to begin construction activities including tree removal where the Federal/Decatur station will be built. Sewer, water and drainage improvements will follow tree removal. Once these improvements are completed, crews will remove sidewalks, grass and other vegetation from the site to begin wall, track bed and station construction.

The channel and wall construction at Knox Court is winding down and current scheduling indicates the reopening of Knox Court by late February. Once Knox Court is opened, work will begin on Perry Street. Perry will close between 12th and 14th for this work, but this activity will require significantly less time than the work at Knox Court. The West Corridor PI Team will provide advance notice of this closure as it gets closer.

The pedestrian bridges at Tennyson Street and Hazel Court should be completed this winter and RTD/DTCG hope to have them both open to the public before spring arrives. These bridges will allow foot traffic over the construction zone at two different locations in the gulch. Work on the Federal Bridge is still contained to utility relocations and work on the Lakewood Gulch Bridge will be winding down towards the middle of February.

Upcoming Activities
Phase two construction will begin soon in Area 3, as crews are preparing to begin duct bank installation in late January or early February.

For more information on construction please visit the Construction Information page on the West Corridor Web site.
 

HOW CAN I GET (OR STAY) INVOLVED?

One of the best ways to get the latest information on the West Corridor 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 full construction continues for the next two and a half years, it is the best way to stay informed of 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 changes, please notify us.

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