Denver RTD's R Line to open in late February

The Regional Transportation District of Denver's (RTD) R Line light-rail route will open for service Feb. 24, the agency announced yesterday.

The line includes 10.5 miles of new track from the Nine Mile Station to the Peoria Station in Aurora, Colo. R Line trains will operate on existing track from the Lincoln Station in Lone Tree, Colo. to the Nine Mile Station.

The entire route runs 22 miles, RTD officials said in a press release. R Line trains will serve 16 stations total, including eight new ones.

"The R Line is a signature project for RTD, the city of Aurora, and our region," said RTD General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Dave Genova. "The line is significant in that it completes another important connection and mobility opportunity on the eastern side of the metro area, connecting commuters to important destinations throughout the line."

The R Line is part of RTD's "FasTracks" expansion plan, which voters approved in 2004.

Kiewit Infrastructure built the line, which cost $687 million, the Denver Business Journal reported.