Denver's RTD sends corrective action plan to FRA

The Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) has submitted a corrective action plan to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for fixing ongoing problems with its University of Colorado A Line to Denver International Airport.

The FRA told the agency earlier this month to submit a plan within 30 days. RTD worked with Denver Transit Partners (DTP) to develop the plan to address the FRA's concerns, RTD officials said in a prepared statement. DTP is RTD's partner on the Eagle Project, which includes the A and G commuter-rail lines.

Among the issues of concern to the FRA are crossing gates that don't work properly on the A Line. RTD and DTP used new wireless gate-control technology that would meet new federal standards, but the gates still weren't functioning as they should.

The corrective action plan outlines several steps to be taken to resolve the FRA's concerns within a year, RTD officials said.

"As outlined in the plan, DTP and RTD are analyzing the data it collects to isolate problems and solutions based on each specific crossing," they said.

The transit agency is prepared to do everything possible to make sure the plan is accepted and implemented, they added.

"Millions of people have depended upon RTD’s safe, reliable commuter rail service and demand is growing," the agency's statement said. "To accommodate increased ridership on the University of Colorado A Line, for example, we are planning to double the capacity by adding cars to these trains starting next month."

The FRA's acceptance of RTD's action plan also is related to the opening of the long-delayed G Line from Denver to the area's western communities. RTD officials said they are ready to open the line in first-quarter 2019 if the FRA accepts the plan, which also according to a report in The Denver Post.

A link to the corrective action plan is available through this link.