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Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) has set an opening date for the West Rail Line, the first of several corridors being built under the FasTracks expansion program — and it’s eight months ahead of the originally scheduled launch.

The 12.1-mile, 12-station light-rail line will begin revenue operations on April 26, 2013, running from Denver Union Station west through Lakewood and terminating at the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden, Colo.

Major construction on the $707 million project is scheduled to be finished this summer, followed by the completion of the signal and communication system in late 2012. RTD plans to conduct final testing and operator training through spring 2013.

FasTracks is RTD’s voter-approved transit program to expand rail and bus service throughout its service area. The program calls for building 122 miles of commuter- and light-rail lines and 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, adding 21,000 parking spaces, redeveloping Denver Union Station and redirecting bus service to better connect the eight-county district.