G-Line launch might not come until 2018

A brand new four-level parking garage and completely functional light rail platform sit directly across from the Olde Town Arvada Park-n-Ride. But two things were noticeably missing at the unveiling of the new G-Line station Thursday: passengers and trains.

And it may be 2018 before the new light-rail line is fully operational, the Regional Transportation District officials said.

The launch of the G-Line has been stalled several times due to a series of crossing gate timing issues along both the University of Colorado A-line to Denver International Airport and the B-line to Westminster. These lines have been operating under a several times renewed waiver from the Federal Railroad Administration, which requires the use of at-grade crossing attendants.

RTD general manager Dave Genova said there may be an end — or rather a beginning — in sight for hopeful commuters.

“The testing is going well and we will need further permission from the FRA and (Colorado Public Utilities Commission) to test the wireless-crossing technology at a later date,” Genova said Thursday. “When we complete the comprehensive schedule, we will be able to communicate our anticipated timing of the opening of the GLine.”

Earlier this month the FRA and PUC gave the go ahead to resume testing of the G-Line, which will be running several trains during business hours Monday through Friday. Meanwhile the A-Line and B-Line are carrying passengers while glitches are worked out. The current waiver for this setup will expire on July 30.

RTD’s private-sector partner, Denver Transit Partners, has said that the problem with the crossing technology is impossible to fix.

Genova said the A-line is fixed. The FRA has approved the design and that they will begin to file amendments with the PUC to work through their process.

RTD spokesman Nate Currey reminded disgruntled viewers via Facebook and Twitter live video that this is the first state and transit system in the country to experiment and implement this kind of technology.

“We need to make sure that all safety regulations are being followed,” he said. “We won’t launch prematurely or without approval.”

For many RTD straphangers there is one burning question: When will the G-Line open?

Although recent approvals happened quicker than expected, a 2017 launch date was optimistic at best, Currey said.