by John Wolforth, Planning and Zoning Director
comments open from April 24 until May 13

One of the functions of the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Division is to provide addressing services for all of Jefferson County. The Addressing Section’s services are critical not only for citizens but for local jurisdictions, departments and emergency responders. The Addressing Section is responsible for assigning, maintaining and approving all addresses, street and road names in Jefferson County. The assignments are to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Jefferson County.

One of the most important aspects and importance of proper addressing in the county is how closely the Addressing Section works with emergency services. All areas of the Sheriff’s Department use the address database. It is important for court documentation, warrants, arrests and investigations. We also work with local emergency responders and fire districts within Jefferson County. When responding to emergencies it is important that responders are able to quickly and efficiently locate citizens to provide services based on the accuracy of their addresses. We are constantly working with citizens, fire districts, emergency responders and other departments in the county to properly assign addresses county-wide. This may include naming roads that were previously unnamed, assigning new addresses when homes are built, changing addresses as appropriate when they do not meet current standards for assigning addresses and more.

In addition to the services you receive from emergency responders, an address can provide assistance in other aspects of business and personal interactions with other departments and divisions when trying to identify a property.

by Public Information
comments open from April 18 until May 7

While the driest March on record kept our foliage thirsting for water, it certainly benefited crews working on the West Rail Line. Construction activities geared up earlier than expected and the summer-like temperatures led to uninterrupted work flow.

First Light Rail car passes through West Rail Line
RTD began initial clearance testing on the line on March 22 as crews used a unimog (similar to a rail tugboat) to pull a light rail vehicle along the whole alignment. The pull took one and a half days to traverse the entire line and back; beginning just south of the newly relocated Auraria West Station in downtown Denver and ending at the Jefferson County Government Center before turning around and heading back downtown.

This initial test confirmed clearances between the vehicle and surrounding elements of the rail line including; bridges, tunnels, soundwalls, fencing, poles and station platforms along the alignment. RTD will continue intermittent tests along the West Rail Line until it opens in May of 2013.

Sheridan parking structure
Design of the 800-space parking structure at 10th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard is approximately 60 percent complete, with a target construction start date in June 2012. Swinerton Builders anticipates grading will occur on the site for approximately two weeks, followed by foundation work slated to start in mid-June. The structure will be cast-in-place concrete and use aluminum storefront framing and glass to create a contemporary architectural look.

Pedestrian safety recommendations
A light rail pedestrian accident in Utah spurred heightened awareness for light rail crossing safety across the nation. The Federal Transit Administration has asked transit agencies, including RTD, to review all at-grade crossings and make recommendations for pedestrian safety enhancements.

A committee, made up of members from many RTD departments, was created and a series of recommended changes were developed. Multiple West Rail Line grade crossings have potential changes based on this recent safety review. Changes to any grade crossing will require the approval of the PUC (Public Utilities Commission) prior to being implemented. Following are the recommended changes:
• Fencing will be extended between the soundwalls and signal masts at Pierce, Teller, Carr, Garrison, Independence, and Oak.
• Bollards will be placed between the soundwall and signal masts at Pierce, Teller, Carr, and Estes.
• Either the signal mast will be moved behind the sidewalk or a swing gate will be placed between the signal and soundwall at Carr.
• Swing gates between the signal and soundwall will be placed at Estes, Independence, and Oak.
• Track panels that currently extend past the preferred walkway will be removed at Garrison and Independence.
• 100 feet of soundwall will be removed on the southwest corner at Independence as well as a 24/7 speed restriction of 20 mph at that same intersection.
• Lastly, “No trespassing” signs will be placed at each corner of all grade crossings.

Once these recommendations are approved by the PUC, they will be implemented, which is scheduled to happen prior to the opening of the West Rail Line.

Public meeting dates set for proposed bus routes along the West Rail Line
When a new light rail line opens, it also affects the surrounding bus service. It is important to eliminate duplicate service to the rail line while still preserving options for our customers. The draft plans for bus route changes that will take affect when the West Rail Line opens have been developed and will be presented at a series of public meetings. For more information on public hearing dates visit the West Rail website.

Construction Update – Area 1 (Jeffco Government Center to Federal Center?
Current and Ongoing Activities
• Bike path work, including final fabrication, paving and railing installation continues at the Jefferson County Golden Station-Government Center.
• Drainage work and road reconstruction along Ulysses Street could begin later this week, requiring the closure of Ulysses Street between 6th Avenue and Mt. Vernon Road. Crews could be in the area for up to four weeks.
• West Rail crews continue work on Union Boulevard and the on and off ramps of 6th Avenue. Lane closures on the ramps and along 6th Avenue may be in place during daytime hours.
• Work along the frontage road near Red Rocks Station will continue through the month of April.
• Final irrigation and landscape work continues in Area 1.

You can view some photographs of the building process of both the Golden-Government Center parking garage and station on the RTD FasTracks, West Rail Line website.

Information contained in this post adapted from the FasTracks newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter or get the latest information, see the FasTracks West Corridor website.

by Public Information
comments open from March 15 until April 3

The sun is shining on the West Rail Line as civil activities on the project resume in full force. Final roadway improvements will traverse the line this spring and summer and garage construction at Sheridan and Wadsworth will rise from the ground.

West Rail Line Tours Resume
Don’t miss the final summer of West Rail Line tours. All tours will be from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. on the third Friday of the month (April through September). Sign up on the FasTracks website. Each reservation is for one seat only; please sign-up all attendees individually.

West Rail Line Completes Track Work
The West Rail Line project team has installed the final segment of track. Crews working just west of the Union Boulevard Tunnel completed the task of fully tying in the track for the whole rail line from Denver Union Station to the Jefferson County Government Center. The West Rail Line encompasses more than 116,000 lineal feet of track. Using effective and cost efficient construction methods and state-of-the-art equipment, the 45-member crew successfully completed the track installation in an unprecedented 18 months. Completion of track work is yet another milestone on the West Rail Line and brings opening day another step closer.

West Rail Line Clearance Testing
The first light rail vehicle will travel along the West Rail Line late next week. RTD will be pulling one light rail vehicle the entire length of the corridor from Auraria West Station to the Jeffco Government Center and back. This activity will take anywhere from one to three days. The purpose of this first test is to check clearances between the vehicle and surrounding elements; on bridges and through tunnels, by soundwalls and fencing, through stations and by all the poles throughout the alignment. The light rail vehicle will not be operating under its own power, but will instead be pulled by another piece of equipment. So don’t be surprised if you see a train going by – and don’t expect it to stop and pick you up. There are still 14 months to go before West Rail will start carrying passengers when we open in May 2013.

Construction Update – Area 1 (Jeffco Government Center to Federal Center)
Current and Ongoing Activities
• Crews are paving the plaza and finishing out the stem walls at the Jefferson County Government Center.
• West Rail crews continue work on Union Boulevard and the on and off ramps of 6th Avenue. Lane closures on the ramps and along 6th Avenue may be in place during daytime hours.
• Track installation has been completed, however crews will continue to dress and consolidate track.
• Final irrigation and landscape work has begun in Area 1.

Information contained in this post adapted from the FasTracks newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter or get the latest information, see the FasTracks West Corridor website.

by Public Information
comments open from February 21 until March 11

It seems like winter has finally hit the metro area and construction activities along the West Rail Line are minimal. But that won’t be the case for long as the thaw breaks and crews prepare for an onslaught of activity.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation visits the West Rail Line
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited Denver on Monday, February 6, to get a first-hand look at the West Rail Line. Secretary LaHood visited with DTCG construction workers, commended RTD’s Workforce Initiative Now (WIN) program and discussed how federal investments in transportation support jobs and economic growth.

The West Rail Line is one of three federally funded rail lines in RTD’s FasTracks program. In 2009, approximately $350 million in federal funding was awarded by the Federal Transit Administration to help build out the line. In 2011, a $1 billion dollar award was awarded to the East and Gold Lines.

Construction Update - Area 1 (Jeffco Government Center to Federal Center)
Current and Ongoing Activities
• Crews are striping and sealing the parking garage at the Jefferson County Government Center and should be finished by February 21, 2012. Other work at the station continues as crews pour out the plaza light pole foundations and platforms. Core drilling for fencing along the walls and the installation of traffic poles and arms will be completed this week during evening hours.
• West Rail crews will be installing signal poles on the eastbound off ramp from 6th Avenue to Union Boulevard for the next several weeks. Lane closures on the ramp may be in place.
• Platform paving continues in the Federal Center Station and the final shelter/canopy set will be completed by February 16, 2012.

Information contained in this post adapted from the FasTracks newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter or get the latest information, see the FasTracks West Corridor website.

by Public Information
comments open from January 11 until January 30

The new South Jeffco call-n-ride bus service is scheduled to begin service on January 22. The service, provided by the Regional Transportation District (RTD), will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The call-n-ride is intended to replace a number of bus routes (60, 63X, 67, 76 & 401) which are being eliminated or will have service reduced due to budget cuts by RTD. The service boundaries are Platte Canyon on the east, Bowles and Southwest Plaza on the north, and C-470 to the west and the south, which also includes trips to Lockheed Martin.

This personalized, curb-to-curb bus service operates with smaller (14 passenger) buses and is designed to take you anywhere you want to go within the service area. One call can connect you to bus routes, Park-n-Rides, light rail stations or to work, school, and shopping.

>> Call 303-994-3069 and request travel at least one hour or up to two weeks in advance. RTD will provide an estimated pick-up time.

>> You can also book your trip online at rtd-denver.com at least two hours prior to departure.

However, you must phone in your reservation the first time you use the service.
Service is available on a first-come, first-served basis. When the bus arrives, you will need to pay your exact cash fare - $2.25 per trip for regular riders and $1.10 for seniors and children aged 6-19.

RTD will mail a brochure to residents within the South Jeffco call-n-ride service area with information on how to use the service as well as two free ride coupons.

Map of the service area:

by Public Information
comments open from January 5 until January 24

Jefferson County’s draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Maps are now available for public comment. The two maps, one for the Bicycle Plan and the other for the Pedestrian Plan, were developed by the Transportation Planning team in the county’s Transportation and Engineering Division. The purpose of the two plans is to guide the county in developing a network of on-street bicycle corridors and off-street paths, sidewalks and trails.

In creating these maps, the Transportation Planning team made regional recommendations by incorporating various municipal bicycle and pedestrian plans. Using a regional approach, the bicycle and pedestrian corridors will be continuous and consistent in the cities, towns and unincorporated county areas. An important feature of this plan is to utilize Kipling Street as a north-south multi-modal “backbone,” connecting to a ladder-style network of east-west connections. No funding is currently available to implement the plan, but projects will be implemented as individual roadway corridors are developed.

This plan shows a long-term vision for Jefferson County and represents significant future investments. Reviews and comments on the plan maps are being accepted through January 31, 2012. See the transportation website at www.jeffco.us/bike-plan for the detailed maps and all the information. Please make your voice heard on this important plan.

For more information, contact Will Kerns, AICP Transportation Planner, at 303-271-8497 or wkerns@jeffco.us.

Larry Benshoof, Road & Bridge Director
comments open from December 19 until January 7

It’s been a busy year for the Road & Bridge Division so I thought I would recap the major categories of work we were involved in during 2011.

Asphalt Overlay Program – we use both Road & Bridge crews as well as a private contractor to perform this work. The private contractor is chosen based upon the lowest bid received that meets all of the bidding requirements.

>> R&B Overlay Crew
 76,000 tons
 $4,560,000
 118 lane miles

>> Contractor – LaFarge West using FASTER funds
 26,000 tons
 $1,700,000
 35 lane miles

Rotomill Patching Program - we purchased a small rotomill in 2009 with the intent of greatly increasing our ability to perform extensive asphalt patching. Since that time, we have increased our production by 191%.

>> R&B Rotomill Patching Crew
 32,000 tons
 $1,920,000

Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk Replacement Program – here again, we use both R&B crews as well as a private contractor chosen through an open bidding process.

>> R&B Concrete Crew
 $640,000
 2100 cubic yards of concrete

>> Contractor – CEI
 $875,000
 2461 cubic yards

Roadway Improvement Projects Constructed by Road & Bridge Crews
>> 6th Avenue Frontage Road Sidewalk
 $299,839
>> Sutton Trail Connections
 $92,693
>> Deer Creek Road Shoulder Widening and Safety Improvements
 $139,759
>> 80th & Alkire Guardrail
 $30,465
>> NEAT Village Trail
 $277,829
>> White Ranch Park: Belcher Hill Road Improvements
 $277,220
>> Mt. Falcon West Parking Lot Overlay
 $35,963
>> Lair O’ the Bear Access Road Paving
 $33,541
>> Deer Creek & Grizzly Parking Lot Drainage Improvement and Overlay
 $74,393

Total Cost: $1,261,702

I would close by thanking all of our residents for the patience and caution you demonstrated this past year as we impacted various neighborhoods with our maintenance operations.

Have a safe and joyous Holiday Season!

by Public Information
comments open from November 17 until December 6

In another year, the vast majority of work on the West Rail Line will be completed. For now, stay up-to-date with the most current construction information by becoming a subscriber to our e-newsletter. You can sign up by visiting the West Rail website, and while there, utilize the tools that have been established to keep you updated on progress and impacts.

Auraria West Station Opens
After a three month closure, the light rail station at Auraria West is now open! On Monday, October 31, 2011, RTD opened the first light rail station on the West Rail Line. The opening of this station culminated a summer of construction activities at the Auraria campus that included integrating the existing Central Platte Valley tracks into the West Rail Line, demolishing the old Auraria West Station and constructing the new station north/west of its original location. Access to and from the station will include sidewalks leading to Auraria Campus, as well as a kiss-n-ride drop off on 5th Street.

Relocating this station was necessary to accommodate trains heading out to the West Rail Line or the Southeast and Southwest Rail Lines. This is the first station on the West Rail Line where you can see the final windscreens, as well as the station furniture, lighting and shelter canopies that will be consistent along the new line.

Bike Path
The West Rail Line boasts new bike/pedestrian paths along the corridor, connecting the three counties in which the rail line spans. The project has dedicated a total of 4.26 miles (.38 miles in Jefferson County, 2.20 in Lakewood, and 1.68 in Denver) of bike/pedestrian route, including new bike bridges adjacent to both the Wadsworth and Kipling light rail bridges. Although the bike/pedestrian path is one of the final phases of the overall project, as of September 2011, it is almost 50 percent complete!

Safety remains a priority, so public access to the bike/pedestrian path will not be allowed until all adjacent shouldering, landscaping, painting and fencing are complete and the path is safe for all users. Once completed, the new and improved path will make traveling to and from the west much more seamless and safe. Locations where bicycles/pedestrians cross the light rail tracks are minimized along the corridor to the greatest extent possible.

In addition, all West Rail Line stations will feature bicycle parking with racks and/or lockers for travelers’ convenience. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Denver Transit Construction Group (DTCG) are committed to opening the bike path by mid- 2012, at least one year earlier than originally scheduled. For safety purposes, the West Rail Line team asks the public to refrain from using the path until it is opened.

Construction Update – Area 1, Jeffco Government Center to Federal Center
• Work continues on the parking garage and station at the Jefferson County Government Center. Work on the structure should be completed by the first week of December and station and guideway work will continue through the winter months.
• Track crews are distributing ties from Johnson Road to the west end of the Jefferson County Government Center.
• All eastbound and westbound lanes, including the ramps at Indiana Street are scheduled to open by Thanksgiving.
• Installation of guardrail on the frontage road west of Red Rocks Station will be ongoing through mid-December.
• Roadway improvements continue to require lane closures on Union Boulevard and the 6th Avenue on and off ramps at Union Boulevard. Construction on the southbound lanes of Union Boulevard will continue through November.
• The excavation of the light rail tunnel under Union Boulevard has been completed. Crews continue preparing the tunnel walls.
• North/4th Avenue between Union Boulevard and just west of Routt Street is closed as crews finish up roadwork and the track crossing in that area. To access the Federal Center, turn east from Union Boulevard onto 2nd Place and proceed through Gate 4 into the Federal Center.

Information contained in this post adapted from the FasTracks newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter or get the latest information, see the FasTracks West Corridor website.

by Maria D'Andrea, P.E., Traffic/Transportation Engineer
comments open from November 16 until December 5

As you drive around the metro area, you may start to see flashing yellow arrows on traffic signals. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and several cities and counties have begun implementing a new flashing yellow arrow left-turn signal light at intersections where, in the past, circular green signal lights were used.

A green arrow provides a protected left turn from oncoming traffic while the flashing yellow arrow indicates left-turning traffic must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning.

A national study demonstrated that drivers found flashing yellow arrow signals to be more understandable than yield-on-green indications. They keep motorists safer during heavy traffic and reduce delays when traffic is light.

Jefferson County has no immediate plans to upgrade or install any flashing yellow arrow signals.

Below is an explanation of what the arrows mean:

Steady Red Arrow = Drivers turning left must stop.
Do not enter an intersection to turn when a solid red arrow is being displayed.

Steady Yellow Arrow = Stop if you can do so safely.
Drivers are warned the left-turn signal is about to turn red. Do not enter the intersection if you can stop safely. Vehicles in the intersection should complete their turn.

Flashing Yellow Arrow = Proceed with left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians (Oncoming traffic has a green light!).
Drivers are allowed to turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Oncoming traffic has a green light. Drivers must determine if there is an adequate gap before turning.

Steady Green Arrow = Proceed with left turn.
Drivers making a left turn have the right-of-way. Oncoming traffic has a red light.

by Public Information
comments open from Oct. 17 until Nov. 5

Denver’s great fall climate has allowed West Rail crews to continue construction with little interruption.

In May 2011, the RTD Board of Directors approved the station names for the West Rail Line. The final station names are as follows:
>> Auraria West
>> Decatur•Federal
>> Knox
>> Perry
>> Sheridan
>> Lamar
>> Lakewood•Wadsworth
>> Garrison
>> Oak
>> Federal Center
>> Red Rocks College
>> Jefferson County Government Center•Golden

Current and Ongoing Activities
• Work continues on the parking garage and station at the Jefferson County Government Center. Work on the structure should be completed by the end of November 2011 and station and guideway work will continue through the winter months.
• The track crossing and reconstruction of Johnson Road was successfully completed during the month of September. Johnson Road is now open into the Jefferson County Government Center.
• Track crews are distributing ties and rail from Johnson Road to the west end of the Jefferson County Government Center.
• Roadway improvements continue to require lane closures on Union Boulevard and the 6th Avenue on and off ramps at Union Boulevard. Construction on the southbound lanes of Union Boulevard will continue through November however, construction on the northbound lanes will be postponed until the spring of 2012.
• Crews continue to phase the excavation of the light rail tunnel under Union Boulevard. The entire depth of the tunnel should be completed by mid-November.

Upcoming Activities
• Road reconstruction on Ulysses Street has been postponed until the spring of 2012.
• The track crossing at Routt Street is scheduled to begin the week of October 24 with construction of the North Avenue track crossing scheduled to begin immediately thereafter.

Information contained in this post adapted from the FasTracks newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter or get the latest information, see the FasTracks West Corridor website.

by Public Information
comments open from Sept. 15 until Oct. 4

Fall is in the air and the last opportunity to place asphalt and concrete this year may be upon us.

Current and Ongoing Activities
• Finish work continues on the parking garage at the Jefferson County Government Center. Work on the structure will continue through the fall.
• On September 9, 2011, Johnson Road was closed between 6th Avenue and the entrance to the Jefferson County Government Center. Under this closure, West Rail crews will install the track crossing and repave the roadway. Johnson Road is scheduled to re-open on Sunday, September 25, 2011.
• The demolition and reconstruction of the cul-de-sacs at Kendrick Street, Juniper Street and McIntyre Street on the north side of 6th Avenue have been completed.
• The Traction Power Substation on Juniper Street was installed early last week.
• The eastbound 6th Avenue on-ramp from Indiana Street will be restored to its original configuration of three turn lanes onto eastbound 6th Avenue. To accommodate this activity, the 6th Avenue on-ramp at Indiana could close overnight for paving operations. Check the West Rail Road Closure page for detailed information.
• The first copper colored roof on the station canopy was installed at Red Rocks Community College station.
• Roadway improvements continue to require lane closures on Union Boulevard and the 6th Avenue on and off ramps at Union Boulevard. Road reconstruction in this area will continue through September.
• Demolition of the Cold Spring lot has been completed and the tunnel under Union Boulevard is visible. Crews will continue to work in the tunnel for the next four to six weeks.
• With the demolition of Cold Spring, crews are constructing the rail that will take the trains into the tunnel.

Upcoming Activities
• Drainage improvements under North Avenue near the Federal Center Station could begin later this month.

Information contained in this post adapted from the FasTracks newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter or get the latest information, see the FasTracks West Corridor website.

by Jeffco Public Information
comments open from Sept 7 until Sept 26

Starting the evening of Friday, September 9, Johnson Road will be closed in both directions from 6th Avenue to the roundabout turn-in to the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility. RTD crews are closing Johnson Road for construction activities related to the West Rail Line and the road is anticipated to be closed until Monday morning, September 26, 2011.

For access into the county’s campus, motorists on 6th Avenue will be detoured to Jefferson County Parkway on the southwest side of the campus. Temporary pedestrian access will be available.

We appreciate your cooperation during these activities and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Scheduled dates are subject to change and are weather dependent. While it’s not anticipated to have crews in the area continuously from now until completion of construction, the phasing of future activities will require crews to be moving in and out from now until West Corridor light rail construction is completed in late 2012.

For complete up-to-date information on upcoming construction activities, access the Construction Information Page for the West Corridor on the FasTracks website. For questions or additional construction information please contact Kathy Berumen at 720-989-8099.

by Public Information
comments open from August 17 until September 5

As classes resume in our local schools, construction of the West Rail Line progresses. Road construction is still a high priority as we take advantage of the “good weather” season.

Current and Ongoing Activities
• Crews are working on sub-ballast and the guideway at the Jefferson County Government Center.
• Walls at the Jefferson County Government Center Station will be poured this week.
• Crews continue underground work on Johnson Road requiring lane closures. In early to mid-September, road construction will require a full closure of Johnson Road. Check the West Rail Road Closure page often for updates on traffic impacts in and around this area.
• Upon completion of roadway improvements on Johnson Road, final road improvements on Ulysses will begin.
• The demolition and reconstruction of the cul-de-sacs at Kendrick Street, Juniper Street and McIntyre Street on the north side of 6th Avenue will require road closures from 7th Avenue to 6th Avenue. Local business and residential access will always be maintained.
• The westbound 6th Avenue on-ramp from Indiana Street has been restored to two lanes. Crews will now begin to restore the eastbound 6th Avenue on-ramp from Indiana to its original configuration of three turn lanes onto eastbound 6th Avenue. The 6th Avenue on-ramp at Indiana could close overnight for paving operations later this month. Again, check the West Rail Road Closure page for detailed information.
• Roadway improvements continue to require lane closures on Union Boulevard and the 6th Avenue on and off ramps at Union Boulevard. Road reconstruction in this area will continue through August.
• The new Federal Center Station opened on Sunday, July 31, 2011 and the Cold Spring park-n-Ride has closed. Demolition of the Cold Spring lot is nearing completion and crews will soon begin tunnel excavation under Union.

Upcoming Activities
• Drainage improvements under North Avenue near the Federal Center Station will begin later this month.

Information contained in this post adapted from the FasTracks newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter or an update on the latest information, see the FasTracks West Corridor website.

by Public Information
comments open from May 26 until June 14

West Corridor crews move into a spring season that has been in the planning stages since early winter. Roadway and track construction have picked up momentum and will continue to intensify for the next several months.

FasTracks Update
The RTD Board of Directors decided not to ask residents of the eight-county district for a FasTracks sales tax increase in 2011. Over the past several months, RTD has evaluated and reviewed significant information, including economic indicators and input from regional stakeholders and the general public. Before their decision, the Board received a presentation of additional research from two outside economic experts and RTD staff, who then presented its recommendation to move ahead with the current FasTracks Financial Plan, which assumes a 2012 sales tax increase of .4 percent to complete FasTracks by 2020.

RTD plans to take steps in the coming months to determine if 2012 is, in fact, the right time to let voters decide on whether to make an additional investment to complete FasTracks within the next decade. The RTD Board will have to take a separate, formal vote in the future to make a decision on pursuing a sales tax election in 2012. Without a tax increase in the near future, RTD estimates that completion of the final FasTracks program elements will occur by 2042.

Federal Center Station Grand Opening Event
Join RTD to celebrate the opening of the Federal Center Station, the first station to open on the West Corridor. The commemorative event will be held on Thursday, June 16 at 10 a.m. in the new Federal Center Station parking lot and will feature speakers from RTD, Lakewood, and the General Services Administration. The closure of Cold Spring park-n-Ride and the actual start of bus operations and parking at the new Federal Center Station will be on Saturday, June 18.

Jeffco Government Center Update
Current and Ongoing Activities
• Erection of the parking garage at the Jefferson County Government Center has reached 50 percent and the final pieces of the garage should be in place by the end of June.
• Civil construction between Ulysses Street and Indiana Street will be substantially completed by late May and this area will be turned over to Balfour Beatty Rail for the installation of the Overhead Catenary Systems (OCS) poles and systems operational equipment.
• OCS pole installation is moving quickly between Union Boulevard and Indiana Street.
• Installation of the signals at the Red Rocks Station platform continues.
• Street reconstruction is ongoing on 6th Avenue at the I-70 on-ramp.
• Construction of sidewalks and bus bays near the Red Rocks Station between Deframe Court and Arbutus Drive has been completed.
• Crews continue the reconstruction of Union Boulevard and the 6th Avenue on and off ramps at Simms/Union. Construction and lane closures in this area will be phased as crews complete activities.
• Construction of the retaining walls east of the Union Tunnel in the Cold Spring park-n-Ride is ongoing; once the Cold Spring park-n-Ride closes on Saturday, June 18, crews will begin excavating the tunnel under Union Boulevard.
• Construction of the parking lot at the Federal Center Station will be completed in time for the Federal Center Station opening on Saturday, June 18. Other work at the station will be ongoing through the summer.

Upcoming Activities
Preliminary construction of the Jefferson County Government Center station and bike path, and final reconstruction of several cul-de-sacs in Jefferson County will begin in early to late June.

Information contained in this post adapted from the FasTracks newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter or an update on the latest information, see the FasTracks West Corridor website.

by Public Information
comments open from May 16 until June 4

Starting tonight, Monday, May 16 at 7 p.m., a section of South Wadsworth Boulevard near Southwest Plaza Mall will be closed during the next three evenings, weather pending, for construction.

The section of Wadsworth being closed is between Cross Street and West Bowles Avenue. It will only be closed during the evenings and into the early mornings and will reopen for rush hour and daytime traffic. Closure dates and times:
• Monday, May 16: 7 p.m. – 5 a.m.
• Tuesday, May 17: 7 p.m. – 5 a.m.
• Wednesday, May 18: 7 p.m. – 5 a.m.

Southbound traffic will be detoured around the work zone and will use West Cross Street and West Long Drive to the north. Northbound traffic will be detoured onto West Bowles Avenue to the south. You can view a map of the closure in the full release.

During the closure, crews plan to place pedestrian bridge sections across Wadsworth. This is part of the Bowles/Wadsworth Boulevard Intersection Project, which includes a new southbound lane on Wadsworth, pedestrian bridge, upgraded traffic signals, new sidewalks and drainage improvements.