G Line (RTD)

{{for|the original RTD light rail line known as the G Line|R Line (RTD)#History}}

The G Line was originally conceived in the 1990s as a rail line that would go from Denver Union Station to downtown Golden.{{cite web | url=https://www.cpr.org/2023/11/30/rtd-wanted-g-line-to-golden-free-shuttle-ending/ | title=RTD wanted the G Line to reach downtown Golden, but that didn't happen. Now a free shuttle is ending }} But plans to build the line to Golden were split into two phases. The first phase was funded through FasTracks, and ended at the current terminus of {{rtds|Wheat Ridge/Ward}}. The second phase has yet to be funded, and RTD has no current plans to extend the G Line further. However, RTD owns the right-of-way out to Golden should it ever want to expand in the future.

The G Line uses the former Colorado and Southern Railway line which ran between Denver and Arvada until 1943.

The Gold Line is part of the RTD’s FasTracks expansion plan, and is operated by Denver Transit Partners as part of the Eagle P3 public–private partnership.{{cite web|url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/ |title=Eagle P3 Commuter Rail Project, Denver, USA |publisher=Railway Technology |access-date=September 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903160147/http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/eaglepcommuterrailpr/ |archive-date=September 3, 2011 }} The line received a Record of Decision approval from the Federal Transit Administration in November 2009 allowing the line to be developed.{{cite web | url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21508831/detail.html | title=Fastracks Gold Line To Wheat Ridge Approved | publisher=The Denver Channel | date=November 3, 2009 | access-date=September 3, 2011}} Groundbreaking for the line occurred on August 31, 2011, at a ceremony in Olde Town Arvada where US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the approval of a $1 billion grant to fund the project.{{cite web|url=http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/article/USDOT-provides-1-billion-for-Denver-RTDs-Eagle-P3-commuterrail-project--27812 |title=USDOT provides $1 billion for Denver RTD's Eagle P3 commuter-rail project |publisher=Progressive Railroading |date=September 1, 2011 |access-date=September 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327114652/http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/article/USDOT-provides-1-billion-for-Denver-RTDs-Eagle-P3-commuterrail-project--27812 |archive-date=March 27, 2012 }}

The line is {{convert|11.2|mi|km}} in length, and was expected to cost $590.5 million. There are a total of eight stations: Union Station, 41st Avenue, Pecos, Federal, Sheridan, Olde Town, Arvada Ridge and Ward Road.

The project's nickname of the "Gold Line" refers to the June 1850 discovery of gold by Georgia prospector Lewis Ralston in Ralston Creek, which runs a few blocks from the Olde Town Station.{{cite web | url=http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_327 |title=Stories Along the Line: Gold Line carries a rich name |publisher=Regional Transportation District |access-date=June 4, 2015}}

File:This Station Not Open banner, Wheat Ridge-Ward Station.jpg

The G Line was originally scheduled to open in late 2016, but was delayed due to crossing gate issues with the RTD's A and B lines. The automated crossing gate system, unique to the RTD system, failed to receive federal and state approvals and relied on flaggers on a federal waiver for the first two lines. After RTD solved timing issues with the gates, subject to Federal Railroad Administration approval, the G Line opened without flaggers and quiet zones in place on April 26, 2019. Testing began in January 2018 and the state's Public Utilities Commission approved the automated gates in March.{{cite news |last=Aguilar |first=John |date=January 2, 2018 |title=Full-day testing on G-Line raises hope that long-delayed service is now on track |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/01/02/rtd-g-line-full-day-testing/ |work=Denver Post |access-date=May 22, 2018}}{{cite news |last=Worthington |first=Danika |date=March 28, 2018 |title=RTD wins state approval for G-Line start and eventual removal of costly A-Line flaggers |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/03/28/rtd-human-flaggers-removal/ |work=Denver Post |access-date=May 22, 2018}} Pending FRA approval of the crossing systems in December 2018, the agency claimed it could begin operations as late as Q1 2019.{{cite news |last1=Aguilar |first1=John |title=Denver's tall buildings partly to blame for A-Line, G-Line problems, RTD tells feds |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/12/17/rtd-denver-commuter-rail-g-line-plan/ |access-date=December 18, 2018 |agency=Denver Post |date=December 17, 2018}} On April 1, 2019, RTD announced the opening of the G Line on April 26 following approval from respective organizations.{{cite news |last=Wingerter |first=Meg |date=April 1, 2019 |title=RTD: Long-delayed G-Line from Denver to Wheat Ridge will open April 26 |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/04/01/rtd-g-line-opening/ |work=The Denver Post |access-date=April 1, 2019}}

The G Line's southern terminus is at Union Station in Denver. It runs on a railroad right-of-way north sharing track with the B Line until Pecos Junction station after which the two routes diverge. The G Line continues west to its terminus in Wheat Ridge.{{cite web| url=http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/nw_4 |title=RTD - Northwest Rail Line - Project Map|publisher=Regional Transportation District|access-date=February 11, 2015}}

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{{RTD Bus & Light Rail}}

{{Colorado public transit}}

Category:RTD commuter rail

Category:Transportation in Jefferson County, Colorado

Category:25 kV AC railway electrification

Category:Railway lines opened in 2019

Category:2019 establishments in Colorado