The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has released a draft of its comprehensive 2025 Finishing FasTracks Report, outlining the $1.6 billion capital and operating costs needed to complete the 2004 voter-approved transit expansion program, as well as the revenue and ridership projections for the four unfinished corridors.

The draft report also examines the challenges that are impacting the project's full completion, highlights potential new funding sources, and points to statewide collaboration focused on intercity passenger rail.

According to an agency release, legislation passed earlier this year required RTD to compile a report demonstrating how the agency will complete the four unfinished rail corridors by 2034. Senate Bill 25-161, titled "Transit Reform," also outlines engagement strategies the agency must follow before submitting the final 2025 Finishing FasTracks Report to the Governor of Colorado and General Assembly on December 1.

"RTD recognizes that this report is the first step in bringing the 20-year-old FasTracks plan to fruition," said Debra A. Johnson, RTD's general manager and CEO. "The agency welcomes the opportunity to build upon the current momentum of joint rail service planning by working with the Governor's Office, Colorado General Assembly, and other stakeholders across the Denver metro area to advance discussions about how best to optimize the sustainable expansion of public transport in the region."

The recently released draft report presents a comprehensive set of facts outlining the necessary steps to complete the program. The original FasTracks budget was $4.7 billion in 2004, and RTD has expended more than $5.5 billion on the program.

Significant challenges exist related to completing the Northwest, North Metro, Southwest, and Central corridors, including very low growth in sales and use tax revenues that started during the Great Recession, escalating construction costs, increases in raw materials costs, and supply chain and labor market challenges.

Funding Outlook for FasTracks Completion

RTD estimates $145 million would be available for FasTracks completion from the FasTracks Internal Savings Account by 2030, based on the agency's proposed 2026-2030 Five-Year Financial Forecast. This projection is a best-case scenario, assuming a larger share of statewide funds is also allocated towards the program.

If the four remaining FasTracks corridors were scaled back to include only the Northwest Rail Peak Service and North Metro corridor — excluding the Southwest and Central extensions — the total projected construction costs would be closer to $1 billion. Bringing the two corridors to fruition would also substantially exceed the projected $441 million available in funding. It also excludes the resources required to operate and maintain services once they are constructed, as well as the costs associated with asset renewal.  

State funding from programs authorized by Senate Bill 21-260, Senate Bill 24-230, and Senate Bill 24-184 could contribute toward a limited completion of FasTracks projects. These additional revenue sources could potentially fund up to $296 million towards FasTracks projects between 2026 and 2034. Additionally, ongoing funding would still be required for the operation and maintenance of the rail corridors, as well as asset renewal. 

FasTracks Program Milestones and Next Steps

Since 2004, RTD has completed approximately 75% of the FasTracks projects, including 25 miles of light rail track, 53 miles of commuter rail track, and the implementation of bus rapid transit service, the Flatiron Flyer, along US 36. Establishing Denver Union Station in downtown Denver as an intermodal transit hub in 2014, with commuter rail and light rail platforms and an underground bus concourse, was also part of the FasTracks program.   

Community and stakeholders are invited to review the draft report, learn more about the FasTracks projects, and provide feedback by visiting www.rtd-denver.com/FasTracks.

The webpage provides an overview of each remaining corridor, the eight completed FasTracks corridors, maps, and cost projections to complete the project. Customers, community members, and stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft report via RTD's FasTracks webpage through November 14. 

RTD will present an introductory overview of the draft report during the Tuesday, September 30, Board meeting.