My apologies in advance that I haven’t kept everyone up to date on progress along the West Corridor. However, that will change starting now. It’s time for our second West Corridor update. For comparison sake, you can find last year’s updates from DenverInfill here (keep in mind there are 3 updates – scroll down to find them all). We’ll focus on the major components (stations, bridges, tunnels, etc.) of the $700 million light rail corridor that will open in May 2013. As with the last update, we’ll start at the Auraria West Station and work our way west towards the end-of-line station at the Jefferson County Government Center.
As a sign of progress as we move closer to the completion of the West Corridor, RTD opened a relocated Auraria West Station at the end of October. RTD had to move the station in order to allow trains coming in from and going out along the West Corridor could make their way into Union Station along the existing Central Platte Valley (CPV) Spur. The station was moved about 300 feet from its previous location on the east side of 5th Street outside the Auraria Campus Administrative Building to the west side of 5th Street behind the Printing and Distribution Center near parking lot A.
The Auraria West Station gives us our first clue as to the design scheme for the West Corridor. The canopies are black, rather than the traditional RTD green, with a copper-colored roof. The lights are also a more traditional design as well with the curved necks. This station is a tad different in that the tracks at the station are still mounted on top of ballast, rather than in concrete which is different from all other light rail stations. I don’t know why that is at this particular station – but I’ll look into it.
Here’s a closer look at the light posts – I like them more than the standard “hockey puck” designs at other RTD stations.
I’m no architecture critic, but to me, the canopies and railings give off a bit of a modern/industrial look. The canopies along the West Corridor will mimic these (with the exception of the Wadsworth Station where the City of Lakewood has paid for “enhanced” canopies).
In my next post, we will take a look at the bridge spanning the Consolidated Mainline (CML) and the Burnham Yard Lead just south of the Auraria West Station.
Thanks for posting. I noticed that unlike the new Union Station, they did not include a sign for the new W line to JeffCo-Golden. I wonder whether they will add a new sign in the middle of the main canopy that indicates E and W directions and the W line destinations. In general, I like the new design, but the stations do look a little bare bones compared to the southeast corridor etc.
There will be a sign somewhere showing the W-line. I don’t know why it was already added at Union Station, but have no fear, there will be one added. As for the barebones nature of the station, I agree. My guess is the lack of public art makes it feel bland. Luckily, that’s something that can be added in later if/when funding comes around for it.
I don’t use light rail much but as I recall, the Santa Fe corridor light rail stations all have tracks and platforms at the same grade don’t they? These have tracks that are below the level of the platform. I wonder if this will help prevent distracted people from wandering into the tracks when a train is coming? Or is it simply to get the first step of the train platforms down to sidewalk level. I would be interested to know what others that use light rail think.