Although construction costs have been higher than originally anticipated, the Gold Line still is expected to break ground in 2011 and open to the public by the end of 2015, said Liz Telford, project manager for Gold Line.

Telford, however, recently told planners that completion dates for some projects in the FasTracks system might need to be pushed back. A meeting to further discuss costs is scheduled for August, she said.

The Gold Line DEIS, which has been in the planning process for two years, nearly is completed but still has some issues to be worked out, Telford said. Among those is choosing between two options over where the Gold Line corridor will run in an area that stretches from Union Station in Denver to Pecos Street in unincorporated Adams County.

RTD officials originally had planned to run the Gold Line between two existing railroad tracks operated by Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific, but the companies objected over concerns it would affect their operations. The DEIS lays out an alternative corridor that would run just east of the two tracks, she said.

The drawback to the alternative plan is that the corridor would affect operations at nearby industrial businesses, she said.

“There would be some private property impacts,” Telford said, adding that RTD officials would work with the companies to develop the rail.

Plans for two of the seven parking stations along the corridor also are not completely finalized, she said.

Alternatives to a proposed station near 39th Avenue and Fox Street in north Denver were developed due to its location in between existing rail lines. The DEIS recommends two alternative stations - one which would be located east of the rail lines at 39th and Fox and another near 41st and Fox.

The other proposed parking station still in flux is located near Pecos Street and 62nd Avenue in Adams County. RTD officials are proposing two locations for a station there.

The preferred option would involve a grade separation project that would raise a portion of Pecos Boulevard above the tracks and would require outside funding. Adams County officials currently are in the process of securing capital for the project.

“The other option for that station is basically an insurance policy should Adams County be unsuccessful in raising that capital,” Telford said. “The negative part about that alternative is that it wouldn’t have a joint station.”

Public hearings will be held to gather feedback from the community on the DEIS. The public comment period will officially end Sept. 1.

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What: Public hearing to gather comments on the DEIS
When: 6 p.m. Aug. 6 and 7
Where: Aug. 6 meeting will be held at Highlands Masonic Center, 3550 Federal Blvd., in Denver; Aug. 7 meeting will be held at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., in Arvada
Info: Call the Gold Line Project hotline at 303-299-2000