Denver's RTD Eliminates D Line’s Final Speed Restriction
The agency continues to remove speed limits as track repairs are completed; their most recent work allowed them to remove the final speed limit from the D line, allowing half of the system to operate at full speed.
by Staff
April 21, 2025
2 min to read
Denver RTD is working to keep up on track maintenance by increasing the number of inspections.
Photo: Denver RTD
Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) removed the final speed restriction along the D Line, allowing light rail trains to resume regular speeds along the corridor.
Removing Speed Restrictions
Earlier this week, maintenance crews installed approximately 300 feet of rail along the D line between the Littleton-Downtown and Littleton-Mineral stations. With this work completed, the speed restriction was removed.
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RTD announced an updated timeline that estimated the removal of the final speed restrictions next month. This timetable considered work delays caused by inclement weather and third-party contractor availability.
With the announcement of removing the last speed restriction on the D-Line, two of the four light rail speed restriction zones have been removed from the system.
Keeping Up With Inspections
In 2024, RTD implemented a robust standard for regularly inspecting the agency’s more than 120 miles of light rail track. These inspections adhere to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) standards for the periodic inspection and maintenance of transit tracks.
APTA’s standards, which RTD implemented last May, include visual, electrical, and mechanical inspections of components that affect safe and reliable rail operations and standards for implementing necessary speed restrictions.
The standards also outline the required qualifications for rail employees or contractors performing inspections and completing maintenance tasks.
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RTD’s light rail inspections are conducted annually, quarterly, monthly, and twice weekly, depending on the inspection type.
Due to RTD's aging rail infrastructure, temporary speed restrictions will continue to be implemented when necessary and warranted.
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