G Line (RTD)

The Gold Line is part of the RTD’s FasTracks expansion plan, and is operated by Denver Transit Partners as part of the Eagle P3 public–private partnership.[6] The line received a Record of Decision approval from the Federal Transit Administration in November 2009 allowing the line to be developed.[7] Groundbreaking for the line occurred on August 31, 2011, at a ceremony in Olde Town Arvada where US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the approval of a $1 billion grant to fund the project.[8]

The line is 11.2 miles (18.0 km) in length,[8] and was expected to cost $590.5 million.[7] There are a total of eight stations: Union Station, 41st Avenue, Pecos, Federal, Sheridan, Olde Town, Arvada Ridge and Ward Road.[7]

The project's nickname of the "Gold Line" refers to the June 1850 discovery of gold by Georgia prospector Lewis Ralston in Ralston Creek, which runs a few blocks from the Olde Town Station.[9]

Delays

Sign telling that a station is closed.

The G Line was originally scheduled to open in late 2016, but was delayed due to crossing gate issues with the RTD's A and B lines. The automated crossing gate system, unique to the RTD system, failed to receive federal and state approvals and relied on flaggers on a federal waiver for the first two lines. After RTD solved timing issues with the gates, subject to Federal Railroad Administration approval, the G Line opened without flaggers and quiet zones in place on April 26th, 2019. Testing began in January 2018 and the state's Public Utilities Commission approved the automated gates in March.[10][11] Pending FRA approval of the crossing systems in December 2018, the agency claimed it could begin operations as late as Q1 2019.[12] On April 1, 2019, RTD announced the opening of the G Line on April 26 following approval from respective organizations.[13]

The G Line's southern terminus is at Union Station in Denver. It runs on a railroad right-of-way north sharing track with the B Line until Pecos Junction station after which the two routes diverge. The G Line continues west to its terminus in Wheat Ridge.[14]