The 18.5-mile line from Denver to the northern suburb of Thornton was originally slated to open in 2018, and most recently had been targeted for an opening in the first quarter of 2020. But the RTD announced that the line is now likely to open in May or August of 2020. The Denver Post reports that implementation of positive train control and perfecting the crossing-gate system — which has already been a problem for the commuter A and G lines — are the reasons for the delay.
The Post also reports that the mayors of Thornton and Northglenn, another city on the route, voiced their displeasure at the news.
Thornton Mayor Heidi Williams told the newspaper, “To be mayor of a city of 140,000 that has been paying forever for a train they don’t have makes me less hopeful.” And Northglenn Mayor Antonio Esquibel said, “They took our money and didn’t produce.”
The RTD acknowledged such unhappiness in its announcement of the delay. (link below)
“We know this is frustrating for future passengers to hear, and we share their urgency in getting the N Line running for the public as safely and swiftly as possible,” Chuck Culig, RTD engineering project manager for the N Line, said in the press release. “We are working closely with the construction contractor and will keep our stakeholders and civic leaders updated as often as we can.”
