RTD Press Release

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Union Pacific Railroad (UP) celebrated the transfer of railroad property that RTD purchased from UP for the North Metro rail project that will be built through the FasTracks program.

At a ceremony this morning in Thornton at the site of the future Eastlake Station at 124th and Claude Court, RTD and UP were joined by local stakeholders whose communities will benefit from the project. The property that RTD purchased from UP is known as the Boulder Industrial Lead, a 33-mile stretch of property from Brighton Boulevard to the Valmont Power Plant in Boulder. The property will be used to build out the North Metro commuter rail corridor up to 162nd near State Highway 7. The tracks then turn west and head up to Boulder. The $118 million investment in the North Metro Corridor also allows RTD to preserve right-of-way to Boulder for future expansion.

“The significance of this event is two-fold: It marks years of collaboration with Union Pacific culminating in this purchase of property for FasTracks, and it represents a major investment in laying the foundation for the North Metro Corridor,” said RTD Interim General Manager Phil Washington.

“We appreciate the close working relationship we’ve had over the past several years with RTD and it shows how freight rail and passenger rail can work together for everyone’s benefit,” said Dick Hartman, Union Pacific Director of Public Affairs. “We look forward to continuing to work with RTD and all local stakeholders on FasTracks projects and others of mutual interest to RTD and the railroad.”