Project History

Plans for rapid transit between downtown Denver and Denver International Airport (DIA) (also known as the “East Corridor”) have been discussed and analyzed since a new airport site was determined in the late 1980s. Past transportation studies have discussed different alignments, transit technologies, and station locations for the East Corridor. A Major Investment Study (MIS) was completed for the East Corridor in 1997 that included recommendations for commuter rail, light rail, highway widening, and transportation management elements.

In July 2003, the I-70 East Corridor Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) began as a joint effort between the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Regional Transportation District (RTD). The purpose of the EIS was to improve transportation options along the I-70 highway corridor from I-25 to Tower Road, and explore potential rapid transit options for the East Corridor. Since the beginning of the EIS the I-70 East Corridor project team reached out to residents and business owners throughout the study area. The outreach included various types of meetings and extensive media to provide information about the project.

In 2004, RTD adopted the FasTracks Plan, a comprehensive plan for the expansion of mass transit in the Denver metropolitan area.

On November 2, 2004, voters passed Referendum 4A which included a 0.4 cent sales tax increase to help fund the FasTracks Plan. Although a commuter rail alternative was used as a placeholder in the FasTracks Plan, the results of this EIS will determine the rapid transit alternative that will be constructed.

In June 2006, the highway and transit elements of the I-70 East Corridor were separated into two independent projects because they serve different travel markets, are located in different corridors, and have different funding sources. The intent of the transit element, now known as the East Corridor EIS, is to identify transit improvements along the East Corridor between downtown Denver and Denver International Airport (DIA) and to identify the associated benefits and effects of implementing rapid transit service. A separate Environmental Evaluation document will identify transit enhancements that would extend the Central Corridor/Downing Street from the existing 30th and Downing light rail station to connect it to the East Corridor and the rest of the FasTracks system. The highway element is now known as the I-70 East EIS. Additional information on the I-70 East EIS can be found at: www.i-70east.com

Community outreach continues to be an important component of the East Corridor EIS. This website contains information on how the project team is working with the public, businesses and various agencies in an effort to reach a preferred alternative.

Project Overview

Downtown Denver is the intermodal center for rail and bus transit in the region. DIA is a critical link in the regional and national transportation network. The East Corridor serves as a connection between these two important areas and travels through adjacent employment, neighborhoods, and new development areas. An EIS is being conducted in order to identify rapid transit solutions along the East Corridor.

An EIS is typically a three to five-year decision making process required before any major federally-funded transportation project can be built. It ensures that issues affecting the community and the environment are identified and considered before making a final decision. The process is conducted by local, state, and federal agencies.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that an EIS include:

• A community involvement process
  
• A clear statement of transportation needs within the corridor
  
• An analysis of all reasonable alternatives that address these needs
  
• Study and full disclosure of impacts on communities and environmental resources

Vicinity Map - click to view enlargement:

Project Purpose and Need

Based on comments received during the scoping process, project purpose and need statements have been developed.

Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to provide high quality, high capacity fixed-guideway transit to improve transportation access and mobility with connections to downtown Denver, DIA, and the rest of the RTD transit system that are consistent with, and identified in, previous planning efforts, the Regional Transportation Plan, the FasTracks Plan, and the associated referendum vote.

Project Need
The need for this project results from the following issues:

• Limited regional connectivity
  
• Increased transportation demands
  
• Lack of reliable alternate modes of travel
  
• Increasing travel times in the region
  
• Limited transportation options for underserved populations
  
• Completion of the FasTracks regional fixed-guideway transit system

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