FasTracks' West Corridor up for $285 million grant

Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News

Wednesday, February 8, 2006

FasTracks' first project, the West Corridor light rail line from Union Station to Golden, got a big boost Tuesday when the federal government recommended it for a grant to cover nearly half its cost.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recommended a $285 million federal grant for the $593 million West Corridor project. The Regional Transportation District would receive $35 million this year and an additional $250 million later.

"This means we're off to the races with our next project," said Cal Marsella, RTD general manager.

The recommendation was announced by Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta during a news conference Tuesday.

The initial $35 million is part of President Bush's 2007 budget, which was submitted to Congress this week. In total, Bush recommended $1.5 billion for 28 transit programs nationwide.

The remaining $250 million for the West Corridor is contained in the recently passed six-year federal transportation bill.

RTD still must earn that money.

The agency plans to apply for the grant early next year, when final design of the 12.1-mile line between Union Station and the Jefferson County Government Complex reaches 65 percent completion.

The Federal Transit Administration must review the design and satisfy itself that cost estimates remain within budget, said Susan Schruth, associate FTA administrator for program and management.

RTD has already received $5 million from the federal government for the West Corridor. If the agency gets the full $285 million, the total would be $41 million more than it sought from Washington for that part of the FasTracks project. The remaining cost is to be funded by the 0.4-cent transit sales tax approved by voters in November 2004.

The West Corridor line is to parallel 13th Avenue from downtown to west of Kipling Street, then dip south into the Denver Federal Center at Simms Street and Sixth Avenue Freeway, along a former railroad right of way. From there, it goes to C-470 in Golden along the north side of the freeway.

FasTracks includes 119 miles of new light rail and commuter rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, 21,000 new parking spaces at rail and bus stations and expanded bus service.

RTD has built two other light rail lines - the Southwest Corridor to Littleton and the T-REX line - on schedule and within budget with the help of similar federal grants. RTD received $120 million from FTA for the Littleton line and $525 million for T-REX.

flynnk@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5247