FRA wants Denver’s RTD to submit corrective plan for A-Line issues

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is threatening to shut down the Regional Transportation District of Denver's (RTD) University of Colorado A-Line to Denver International Airport if the agency doesn't come up with a plan to fix ongoing problems within a year.

Among the issues are crossing gates that don't work properly, according to the FRA. RTD and Denver Transit Partners used new wireless gate-control technology that would meet new federal standards, but FRA officials say it still isn't working properly, Colorado Public Radio (CPR) reported last week.

"This safety issue has existed since the commencement of RTD's Eagle Project, and FRA has expended considerable time and resources to support and assist RTD to come into compliance," wrote FRA Chief Safety Officer and Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety Robert Lauby in a letter to RTD officials. "In addition, since 2016, FRA has initiated enforcement action on over 1,000 identified defective conditions involving RTD's operations and infrastructure. FRA has also issued an individual liability warning letter to the individual responsible for directing the design, construction, and testing of the Eagle Project.”

Despite the previous FRA warnings, the RTD has not made substantial progress in addressing safety issues associated with its Eagle Project, which included the A-Line construction, the FRA claims.

Lauby called on the RTD to submit an action plan within the next 30 days of the letter, which was dated Nov. 15.

RTD officials have said they will work with Denver Transit Partners to develop the action plan, CPR reported.