The Final Elected Official Briefing for the West Corridor was held Feb 08, 2013 at the West Rail Line Project Office, 10455 West 6th Avenue. The meeting started at 7:30am and was hosted by RTD Board Chair Lorraine Anderson, District L. Brenda Tierney, public outreach for RTD,  announced during the meeting that this was the 55th meeting with elected officials since the very beginning of the entire project.

Notables in attendance, Lakewood City Council Members: Tom Quinn, Scott Koop, Sue King, Ramey Johnson, Karen Kellen, Cindy Baroway and Golden City Council member, Marcia Claxton. Also in attendance were RTD Board members, Angie Rivera-Malpiede, District C and Bruce Daly, District N.  Also present, former RTD Board members Matt Cohen & Dave Ruchman & Edie Bryant. Ms. Menton, the newly elected District M RTD Board Member was present but arrived late.

Highlights: Most of the good news came from Phil Washington, General Manager of RTD. Ground breaking will occur on March 1 for the I-225 extension with completion to coincide with the opening of the East Line to DIA in 2016. He also announced that RTD will do everything in its power to complete the NW metro rail line; RTD will apply for a federal grant for 50% of the necessary funds.

He also announced that the use of a smart swipe card that took effect on Jan 1 and hopes to have the ability to use credit cards on the West Corridor when it opens in April.   Mr. Washington also mentioned that ALL 172 light rail cars for the W Rail Line have been purchased which he mentioned would be a considerable savings for the agency. He also said that delivery on the commuter trains for the Gold and East lines will arrive in Mid-2014.      

Brenda Tierney gave a wrap up of RTD's safety outreach events held in 2012 to the various schools along the West Corridor and announced that the next phase will be actual field trips to individual at-grade crossings. She also mentioned that the Public Art program is well in place and that some of the art will actually be in place for Opening Day Celebrations.

Up next was the Sheridan Street and Lakewood-Wadsworth Parking Structure Update.; Sheridan Garage is now 51% completed and the Wadsworth Station is 95% completed with the elevators almost operational, the exterior glass casting is finished and the decorative metal panels/wind screens are being put into place now. 

Jim Starling, WC Project Manager mentioned that integrated testing begins around March 1 and after that date the "silent bells" will return after their absence during testing trials. At this time, inspectors and certified operators will begin familiarizing themselves with the route.

Austin Jenkins, Light Rail Operations Manager informed the group that after March 21, RTD will go into its "practice mode." That is, the trains will be running and "pretending" to be in service. They will stop at each station, but most likely will not open the doors; they will co-drill with the various fire departments, drill for stuck doors; practice drills for lost children, and will conduct some tours for VIPs.

Steve Reilly from the RTD marketing group was there to show the elected officials the various media presentations of the rustic colored large W with Teal Blue Rail logo design. Steve explained the various media outlets they will use to inform the public about the W Rail Line - radio, TV, Billboards (see photo above), social media - Facebook & Twitter, etc.; a full broadside media blitz.

Finally, Brenda Tierney concluded the meeting to give an overview of the Opening Day Ceremonies on Friday, April 26, 2013. She basically said that the RTD Board members will board the W line at Denver Union Station, get off at Decatur-Federal, cut a ribbon; re-board and get off at the Lakewood-Wadsworth Station, cut another ribbon; re-board and head out to the Jefferson County Government Center Station where the "official" ribbon-cutting will take place. So, each city will have its "moment in the history books" for Denver, Lakewood, & Golden. After the "official" ribbon-cutting in Golden around noon, the rides on the W Rail Line will be free until 11:59pm Saturday. See the W Rail Line opening weekend schedule below for that day.

See you folks on Opening Day, April 26, 2013 in 71 days.

It's a Friday: You have my permission to take the day off.

William Spriggs, Editor,  

THE BACK FENCE