L Line (RTD)

The L Line's northern terminus is in Five Points northeast of downtown Denver. From 30th & Downing station, it runs southwest along Welton Street before turning down 19th Street. On trips toward downtown, the line runs along Stout Street;{{cite web|title=RTD – Rail: L Line (Southbound)|url=http://www3.rtd-denver.com/schedules/getSchedule.action?runboardId=2431&routeId=109&routeType=2&branch=L&&lineName=L&direction=S-Bound&serviceType=4#direction|publisher=Regional Transportation District|accessdate=14 February 2018}} on trips leaving downtown, the line loops back at 14th Street before serving stations on California Street and then heading back to 30th & Downing along Welton Street.{{cite web|title=RTD – Rail: L Line (Northbound)|url=http://www3.rtd-denver.com/schedules/getSchedule.action?runboardId=2431&routeId=109&routeType=2&branch=L&&lineName=L&direction=N-Bound&serviceType=4#direction|publisher=Regional Transportation District|accessdate=14 February 2018}}

The Central Rail Extension Mobility Study Final Report{{cite web| url=http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/cc_54 |title=RTD – Central Rail Extension Mobility Study Final Report, December 2014|publisher=Regional Transportation District|accessdate=May 12, 2015}} proposed that the D Line stations from 20th & Welton to 30th & Downing and future extension stations be operated on an independent route. This route would operate from the downtown loop to a new terminus created by sharing the A Line's 38th & Blake station.{{cite web|url=http://www.rtd-denver.com/FastracksMap.shtml|title=RTD – FasTracks System Map|publisher=Regional Transportation District|accessdate=May 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131223174601/http://www.rtd-denver.com//FastracksMap.shtml|archive-date=December 23, 2013|url-status=dead}} Former D Line riders would have to transfer to the new L Line as the D Line's new northern terminus would be the downtown loop (nominally 18th & California station). The 14th & California station closed in 2004 could be restored to support the L Line at the Convention Center, allowing for transfers to Theatre District–Convention Center station. RTD's board of directors approved the introduction of the current shorter version of the L Line with the January 14, 2018 service changes. The L Line uses existing track between 30th & Downing station and the downtown loop.{{cite web|title=Final Service Changes – January 2018|url=http://www.rtd-denver.com/servicechanges-january2018.shtml#lineL|publisher=RTD|accessdate=16 November 2017}}

Beginning on May 26, 2024, the L Line was suspended, as part of Phase 1 of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project,{{cite web |title=Final May 2024 Service Changes |url=https://www.rtd-denver.com/service-alerts/service-changes/final-may-2024-service-changes |website=rtd-denver.vercel.app |access-date=4 October 2024 |language=en |quote=The L Line will be suspended during Phase 1 of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project. Due to the nature and impact of the work, it is impossible to operate trains while the project takes place. Impacted customers are encouraged to take other modes of transit, including Free MallRide, Free MetroRide, and Route 43.}} which involves rebuilding some of the oldest sections of RTD track.{{cite web |title=Rail Project |url=https://www.rtd-denver.com/railproject |website=rtd-denver.vercel.app |access-date=4 October 2024 |language=en}} However, on 29 August, that phase was completed, and on September 29, the D, H, and L Lines returned to service.{{cite web |last1=noah.festenstein@denvergazette.com |first1=Noah Festenstein |title=Back on track: RTD reopens downtown light rail lines |url=https://denvergazette.com/news/denver-downtown-rtd-trains-return/article_4cbd3562-7e80-11ef-abed-57734955b0c0.html |website=Denver Gazette |access-date=4 October 2024 |language=en |date=29 September 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Attached KML |display=title,inline}}

• [https://app.rtd-denver.com/route/L/schedule?serviceType=5&direction=Northbound&branch= RTD L Line schedule]

{{RTD Bus & Light Rail}}

{{Colorado public transit}}

Category:RTD light rail

Category:Transportation in Denver

Category:Railway lines opened in 2018

Category:750 V DC railway electrification

Category:2018 establishments in Colorado