Acting FTA Administrator Sherry Little was joined by Regional Transportation District officials along with federal, state and local officials to sign a $308.6 million “full funding grant agreement,” which commits federal funds toward the $709.8 total cost of the West Corridor Light Rail Project.

“The West Corridor Light Rail Project has been a dream in the making for over 20 years,” said Little. “This agreement provides funding for the construction of the first project in RTD’s FasTracks program, which is much needed due to the anticipated population and employment growth in the Denver metropolitan region.”

FasTracks is RTD's comprehensive plan to build and operate high-speed rail lines and expand and improve bus service and park-n-rides throughout the region. As the first component of the plan, the 12.1 mile West Corridor segment will connect urban center redevelopments downtown in the Central Platte Valley and Union Station.

When complete in mid-2013, the West Corridor Light Rail Project will include 12 new stations, six with park-and-ride facilities. By the year 2030, the light rail system is expected to carry approximately 30,000 daily riders requiring 32 new light rail vehicles.