Denver RTD Debuts New Commuter Rail Route to DIA

By Ioana Neamt

Denver A Line airport station

Denver—The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) recently inaugurated the new University of Colorado A Line connecting Union Station to the Denver International Airport.

An integral part of the Eagle P3 Commuter Rail Project developed by Denver Transit Partners (DTP)—a joint venture led by Fluor Corp., the 23-mile line opened April 22^nd and contains eight stations along its route. The line uses new rail cars featuring level boarding to accommodate travelers with luggage and accessibility needs that can reach top speeds of 79 mph and carry up to 200 passengers.

The Eagle P3 project is a public-private partnership awarded by the Denver RTD to a joint venture which includes Fluor Corp., Denver Rail (Eagle) Holdings Inc., Aberdeen Infrastructure Investments (No. 4) USA LLC, Balfour Beatty Rail, ACI, Ames Construction, Hyundai Rotem and HDR. The project is part of the RTD’s FasTracks program, meant to develop 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service and add 21,000 new parking spaces to the city.

“This project is an outstanding example of how the private and public sectors can partner to deliver infrastructure projects on time and within budget,” Fluor Corp. Chairman & CEO David Seaton said in a statement. “This line will connect communities and provide a vital transportation link for adjacent employment, neighborhoods and new development. The innovative financing, design, construction and operations demonstrate the full integrated solutions that Fluor provides its clients.”

The Eagle P3 project also includes the development of the Gold Line between Union Station and Arvada/Wheat Ridge; an initial segment of the Northwest Rail Line to South Westminster (B Line); and the LEED Gold-certified Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility (CRMF). Under the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain model, Denver Transit Partners will operate and maintain the A Line, B Line, G Line and the CRMF for the next 28 years.

Image courtesy of the Fluor Corporation