Golden, Denver, CO – New W Line Light Rail Opening!

Life will be a lot easier for many residents living west of Denver into Golden now that the new westbound light rail has opened!  The “W” line on RTD’s light rail system in and out of Denver has been in the works for several years and is finally finished, marking the first completed rail line of the RTD FasTracks Project.  

Crowds in the thousands attended the celebrations at the new W Line’s stations on April 27, 2013.

This service now runs the 12 miles from Union Station in Downtown Denver to the Golden Station located at the Jefferson County Government Center.  The new rail has 11 stations, 6 park-n-rides, and 3 new call-n-ride services. The “W” Line will be free to ride on Fridays and Saturdays, and will cost roughly $2.50 and $5.00 each way on the remaining day of the week. 

This $707 million new transportation system is expected to be utilized by nearly 20,000 people on a daily basis, in addition to drawing in new interest by businesses and residents to the areas that are near each station. This translates into great news for the communities and neighborhoods that sit west of Denver by bringing in a additional commerce.  

The non-profit, Urban Land Conservancy, has been buying up real estate along these parts over the last several years in the sum of $15 million, which is will eventually provide around 600 units of housing, including 400 units of affordable housing, and more than 50,000 square feet of commercial space. Development projects underway also included a new Denver Public Library which will be walking distance from the rail.

For more information about the new “W” Line, please visit RTD-Denver.com!