FRA OKs RTD plan to remove flaggers from private crossing

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has approve the Regional Transportation District of Denver's (RTD) plan to remove grade-crossing attendants on a private crossing on the agency's B Line.

RTD and its contractor, Denver Transit Partners (DTP), will begin the removal plan as soon as it's practical, RTD officials said yesterday in a press release.

The FRA has jurisdiction over the single crossing because it is privately owned and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission does not regulate privately owned crossings, RTD officials said.

"We are pleased to reach this milestone on the B Line," said RTD General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Dave Genova. "We have demonstrated our continued commitment to our regulatory agencies by addressing their concerns with at-grade crossings throughout our commuter-rail system. We are continuing to provide safe, reliable service throughout our entire system."

Last month, the FRA agreed to RTD's safety and outreach plan and a five-year waiver that allowed the continued operation of the agency's A and B commuter-rail lines. 

The lines opened last year but have experienced technical issues with crossing arms. To address the concerns, the RTD stationed flag attendants at the crossings.

Later this month, the RTD will host four "open houses" to provide a status report on all of its commuter rail lines. The meetings will be held Oct. 23 in Denver; Oct. 25 in Arvada; Oct. 26 in Wheat Ridge and Oct. 28 in Denver.