West Rail Line Elected Officials Briefing
held November 09 2012 at the West Rail Line Project Office, 10455 West 6th Ave.
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[Important Note before we begin: The Ward 2 monthly outreach meeting of Lakewood City Councilors, Cindy Baroway and Scott Koop scheduled for Wednesday, November 14th, 2012 has been cancelled].
* * * * RTD West Rail FasTracks held its quarterly meeting for elected officials at its west office at 10455 West 6th Ave on Friday, November 9th, 2012. The meeting was hosted by RTD Board member, District M, Matt Cohen and started promptly at 7:30am. Notables in attendance were Max Tyler, successfully re-elected HD23 Colorado State Representative, Lorraine Anderson, District L, RTD Board Member and Marcia Claxton, Ward 1 Golden City Council member. Attendance was very light due to many elected officials attending an awards breakfast for Lakewood City Manager, Kathy Hodgson and many other well deserving women of Jefferson County. I'm going to be super brief as there are many meetings this week; it seems everyone is trying to squeeze everything in before the Thanksgiving Holiday week of the 19th. >Overall, the West Rail Line is 95% complete. >Construction is 70% complete at Denver Union Station. The most exciting news from DUS is that the commuter rail canopy is partially erected setting the tone for future greatness. As for around the station, both wing buildings and the Cadence apartment complex are going full throttle. The words, "Hot, and "Boom" have returned to press reports concerning real estate development around the DUS complex. Click here to view the web cam at Denver Union Station. The commuter canopy is at the top of your screen (Archive Presets - View 4 is best) >Brenda Teirney, RTD public outreach director announced that the Public Art outreach program has begun and that the RTD team successfully held Safe Route to School demonstrations using a mock grade crossing on a recycled flat bed truck. The demonstrations were held at two Denver Schools: Cowell and Fairview. Jefferson County Schools: Molhom, St. Bernadette's, Jeffco Open School, and the Eiber Elementary School. All schools are within walking distance of the future light rail line. Some interesting links below about Art and Safety: Lakewood-Wadsworth Station Artwork Plans Garrison Street Artwork Plans Ms. Tieney also announced that the 6th Avenue Bridge will have a "lighting ceremony" around mid-January 2013 - with traveling trains, etc. >The Wadsworth Garage was topped off on September 14th, 2012 and work now turns to the interior, stairs, elevator cones and Wadsworth Street improvements. >The Sheridan Street Garage is 50% complete. >The testing of the light rail trains and systems will most likely occur the week of January 1 or 7th and continue until opening day. >A decision has been made to run "three train length" runs instead every 7.5 minutes at peak vs. "two-train length" runs every 5 minutes. This makes more sense in terms of personnel utilization and wear and tear. >On opening day, April 26th, there will be many separate celebrations, but the most important to remember is that from 10am on Friday, April 26, 2013 till 11:59pm on Saturday, April 27th, 2013 the RIDES ON THE "W" LINE WILL BE FREE. On a final note: It has not been finally determined, but it appears that Mr. Cohen will be the out-going director of RTD District M. Mr. Cohen: "I'm obviously not happy about the results. I have enjoyed this position very much. It is one of the most interesting, varied, and one of the most important jobs that I have ever had professionally. "It has been my privilege and it's been my honor to serve my community; to be a leader in my community. I can't tell you what a thrill and an honor it is to just be at meetings like this - to be with you all. You're all a high level and high caliber sort of folks to be with. But you know, change happens. "The beautiful thing about the Regional Transportation District is that it is a tremendous organization lead by an outstanding General Manager; an outstanding leadership team -- and, I think, an outstanding Board of Directors.
"The train keeps rolling and regardless of who might be at the controls. I appreciate all the encouraging comments from everyone. "I was obviously upset about the results Tuesday evening, but on Wednesday the Sun came up and it was a beautiful day and we have all been part of this incredible project and for that, we all can be proud." And that is all that one can say at this sad moment as we may lose a true champion for Transit. | 
