RTD has just announced that they will not be moving forward with an unsolicited proposal to construct the North Metro Rail Line through north Denver, Commerce City, Northglenn, and Thornton.
For those who don’t know, an unsolicited proposal is essentially what it sounds like – it’s a proposal to construct the corridor without a solicitation by RTD to do so. North Metro Constructors – made up of a partnership between Fluor, Balfour Beatty Rail, and Ames Construction (major players along the East and Gold Lines) – submitted a proposal on September 19. RTD moved forward with initial evaluation, but sadly, the proposal didn’t work given RTD’s budget constraints. The specifics of the proposal will not be made public.
What happens next with the North Metro Rail Line? RTD is moving forward on constructing the first $90 million segment of the corridor from Denver Union Station to the National Western Stock Show Complex, as I mentioned in a previous post. That work will be complete by 2016. Look for more information regarding that project later this year and early next year as RTD releases a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in the coming months. For RTD’s official press release regarding today’s announcement, click here.
Um, isn’t the Stock Show moving out towards the airport? I assume RTD is feverishly updating their plans to make the station a neighborhood-builder rather than a commercial hub?
The Stock Show moving is no sure thing (especially given this week’s Denver City Council move). However, RTD is well aware of the potential change in venue. Either way, the station was never intended to be a “commercial hub”. RTD’s station will serve the neighborhood as well as the NWSS.
RTD needs to get its act together and build out the light rail system in any way to forestall the delayed extension. When the vote was taken, and money approved, we were told the system would be constructed over a minimum of years. But now I’ve seen dates into 2047. We need the light rail now and not in 30 years!
Agreed – but the money simply isn’t there right now. The price of commodities (steel, copper, concrete, etc.) are much higher than RTD anticipated in 2004 when the cost for FasTracks was calculated. Keep in mind that RTD is building the West, East, and Gold Lines with a small segment of the Northwest Rail line as well as Denver Union Station. Yes – North Metro, I-225, the rest of Northwest Rail and the extensions to the existing corridors are on hold. There’s talk of possibly another sales tax increase (maybe next year) to fund the rest of the project. Stay tuned.
You are constantly in shortfall because seemingly no one at RTD has the foresight to try and budget for worst-case scenarios. Your planners and contractors proposed these grandiose expansion plans and just assume that the price of commodities will remain in step with sales tax revenues.
What you should do is PLAN FOR VOLATILITY. As a tax payer who utilizes transit- I would much rather RTD say, “Denver, we finished on time and under budget, thanks for the money” rather than “Hey, Denver, we eff’d up again and need more money”. I saw your polls on popular opinion regarding the tax hike earlier this year. It isn’t happening. What really chides my ass about RTD is that nobody will own up to fact that you guys seem to be making a pattern out this model of ask for some, ask for more. Taxpayers will only support you so many times in that scenario, as you are hopefully figuring out.
I’m tired of the excuses from RTD. You’re over forty years old and getting more bloated and behind the times as the days go by. I’ve seen your operations control room – I couldn’t believe what kind of technology is still in use. Your poor phone operators are using technology from the late 80’s. The bus fleet is ugly and falling apart – when is the last time the paint scheme was updated?
I don’t mean to unload on you specifically, Ryan. I think on the whole, RTD is providing a adequate service to those who need it. The key word, though, is adequate. There’s nothing compelling about RTD right now. And right now, people aren’t willing to pay extra for mediocrity. I desperately want a comprehensive transit network in Denver (and to DIA) and am willing to pay extra in taxes to make it happen, but until RTD as an organization admits the mistakes of the past and clearly outlines how they will be addressed the future you will not see my support for a further tax increase.
I’d suggest voicing your opinion with RTD. You can do so at http://www.rtd-fastracks.com.