Denver — Downing Streetcar

Rail Transit Online, June 2006

Building a double-track streetcar link along Downing Street from a proposed commuter rail station at 40th Street to the existing light rail terminal at 30th Street would be easier and less disruptive than extending the LRT system, according to newly-released planning documents.  The 40th Street station would be part of the $700-million east line from Union Station downtown to Denver International Airport.  The light rail extension, currently part of the Regional Transportation Districts’ $4.7-billion FasTracks transit expansion program, would require demolition of homes along Downing.  A streetcar line would be located in the street whereas LRT would be built on a separate right-of-way and require property acquisition.  Trolleys could take over the existing single-track LRT route along Welton Street from 30th Street through Five Points to Broadway in the downtown area.  A double-track extension could be built south to Civic Center Station at 16th Avenue along Broadway and Lincoln Street.