The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD)'s West Rail Line project has been named one of the most significant construction projects of 2012 by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
The AGC presented its Alliant Build America Merit Awards March 7 during the association's annual convention in Palm Springs, Calif. The awards are considered by many to be the most prestigious recognition of construction accomplishments in the U.S.
AGC noted that the West Rail Line project was completed eight months ahead of schedule and on budget, thanks to the construction team's commitment to innovation and ingenuity. The line travels through three cities, which required intergovernmental agreements. Denver Transit Construction Group, the project's civil contractor, built 13 bridges, two tunnels, 12 stations and 12 miles of light rail as well as managed numerous challenges related to relocating utilities and property acquisition.
In addition to West Rail Line's national recognition, Lakewood-based Denver Transit Construction Group is one of six firms to receive the Alliant Build America Merit Award.
"RTD is fortunate to have had Denver Transit Construction Group as one of the major contractors on the West Rail Line project," said RTD GM Phil Washington. "They demonstrated hard work, tremendous skill and determination to see this important project through to completion."
The Alliant Build America Merit Awards recognize the nation's most significant construction projects. A panel of judges, representing all areas of construction, evaluated an impressive number of submissions this year, assessing each project's complexity, use of innovative construction techniques and client satisfaction, among other criteria.
The West Rail Line is the first completed line to open in RTD's multi-billion dollar FasTracks transit expansion program. When it opens on April 26, the line will be called the "W" Line and is expected to draw a daily ridership of 19,300.
This 12.1-mile light rail line will run from Denver Union Station through Lakewood and the Federal Center, and to the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden. It will include 12 stations and six Park-n-Rides.
Denver RTD rail line honored for innovation
West Rail Line project named one of the most significant construction projects of 2012 by the Associated General Contractors of America.
More Rail
Alstom Awarded 5-Year Extension for GO Transit, UP Express Services
Company officials said that this latest contract extension with Metrolinx consolidates the company’s position as the leading private provider of Operations and maintenance services in North America.
Read More →
New York MTA Seeks Bids for 2,390 Subway Cars in Record-Breaking Order
The new cars, model R262, will be funded by the MTA’s 2025-29 Capital Plan, which received a historic $68 billion in funding from Governor Hochul and the State Legislature in the FY26 Enacted State Budget.
Read More →
Amtrak Announces Community Grants for Projects Near Baltimore’s New Frederick Douglass Tunnel
Amtrak will open grant applications March 23 for community projects near the Frederick Douglass Tunnel alignment in Baltimore as part of a $50 million investment tied to the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program.
Read More →
Amtrak Marks Restoration of Two South Carolina Stations
The Denmark Station $2.3 million construction investment project includes a new 280-foot concrete boarding platform, built eight inches above the top of rail, for improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities and families with small children and much more.
Read More →
NJ Transit, Amtrak Prepare to Open First Track on New Portal North Bridge
The new bridge will begin carrying passenger trains on March 16, replacing a 116-year-old swing bridge that has long caused delays.
Read More →
Caltrain Adopts Corridor-Wide Right-of-Way Safety Strategy
Caltrain and its partners have implemented safety improvements at specific locations in response to known risk conditions, operational needs, and available funding since the agency’s founding.
Read More →
Building a National Framework for Transit Safety and Consistency
On a recent episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sat down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the CSA Group, to explore a bold initiative aimed at addressing those challenges: the development of a National Code for Transit and Passenger Rail Systems in Canada.
Read More →
FTA Invests $686M to Modernize Aging Rail Stations
Competitive FTA grants will support accessibility upgrades, family-friendly improvements, and cost-efficient capital projects at some of the nation’s oldest and busiest transit hubs.
Read More →
MBTA Updates Rail Modernization Plan to Expand Reliability and Accessibility
The strategy outlines near- and long-term upgrades to ease congestion, support housing growth, and advance statewide climate goals.
Read More →
LA Metro Sets D Line Subway Extension Launch Date
The 3.92-mile addition will soon take riders west beyond its current Wilshire and Western station in Koreatown, continuing under Wilshire Boulevard through neighborhoods and communities including Hancock Park, Windsor Square, the Fairfax District, and Carthay Circle into Beverly Hills.
Read More →