Printable VersionFrequently Asked Questions
We answer all of the questions we receive about the Northwest Rail Environmental Evaluation. We also keep track of the questions you ask in order to better provide you with the information that you want about the study. Below are the answers to some of the more Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Northwest Rail Corridor?
The Northwest Rail Corridor is a proposed 41-mile commuter rail corridor from Denver Union Station to Longmont via Boulder, passing through Adams County, Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville, Boulder, and Longmont. Commuter rail will operate along the existing BNSF Railway line. See the Northwest Rail Project Map here!
When will the Northwest Rail Corridor open?
RTD's current plans are to implement the project as scheduled in the FasTracks plan. Opening Day is slated for early 2015). RTD will continue to do everything possible to meet this schedule. Click here to go to the Project Schedule.
Where will the rail stations be along the Northwest Rail Corridor?
The RTD FasTracks plan funds seven stations along the corridor:
• 71st Ave/Lowell (Westminster)
• US 36 & Church Ranch (Westminster)
• Flatiron/96th St. (Broomfield)
• Louisville (Downtown)
• 30th/Pearl (Bouder)
• Gunbarrel (Hwy. 119th & N. 63rd St.)
• 1st & Terry (Longmont)
During the early stages of the US 36 EIS, three stations (88th/Harlan - Westminster Center, 116th - Broomfield, and 63rd/Arapahoe - East Boulder) were added to the Northwest Rail corridor at the request of the local jurisdictions. RTD has stated that it cannot fund these stations, but that it is willing to work with the local jurisdictions to determine if these stations could potentially be constructed at a later time, pending availability of funding. The Environmental Evaluation will continue evaluating these three stations.
What is the purpose of the Northwest Rail Environmental Evaluation?
The purpose of the Northwest Rail Environmental Evaluation is to identify the community and environmental impacts that may result from the construction and implementation of commuter rail service along the BNSF Railway from Denver to Longmont. It will also recommend ways of lessening those impacts in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Environmental Evaluation will build upon the work previously accomplished in the US 36 Environmental Impact Statement and the Longmont Diagonal Environmental Evaluation.
What has already been decided?
Through the previous studies, the decision has been made to build a commuter rail line along the existing BNSF Railway from Denver to Longmont, via Boulder. In October 2007, RTD decided to use Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) commuter rail technology for the Northwest Rail. This decision was accompanied by RTD's adoption of the Responsible Rail Amendment that, among other things, requires RTD to buy commuter rail vehicles that rank high in environmental features, such as fuel efficiency and low emissions, and have the flexibility to accommodate future advancements, such as hybrid or clean-fuel systems.
What vehicle technology is planned for use in the Northwest Rail corridor?
Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) will be the commuter rail technology for the Northwest Rail Corridor.
What is the schedule for the Environmental Evaluation and when can the public participate?
You can participate in the Environmental Evaluation throughout the study. In July 2007, RTD held public workshops to identify the study issues that are most important to you. RTD will continue to conduct public workshops at other key study milestones to hear your feedback about the study's findings and recommendations. RTD will release the draft Environmental Evaluation for public comment in the fall of 2008 and will forward the final document to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in early 2009. Click here to go to the Project Schedule.
Are public workshops the only time the public can submit input?
No. Although public workshops provide great opportunities to interact with the project team and learn more about the Northwest Rail Corridor, your input can also be submitted in writing to Karen Morales, RTD-FasTracks, 1560 Broadway #700, Denver, CO 80202, or by clicking here.
Why is an environmental study needed for the Northwest Rail corridor? Hasn't RTD already been studying the rail line for the past several years?
RTD has examined both highway and rail improvements in the Denver-Boulder section of the corridor over the past few years through the ongoing US 36 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. RTD has also examined rail improvements in the Boulder-Longmont section of the corridor through the Longmont Diagonal Rail Feasibility Study and the subsequent Longmont Diagonal Rail Environmental Evaluation. The Northwest Rail Environmental Evaluation will combine data for both parts of the corridor into one document for review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Why isn't the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) the lead agency for this project? Why is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the lead agency?
Federal regulations require the completion of an environmental study for major transportation projects if there are federal funds involved or if a federal action or approval is required. In the case of the Northwest Rail corridor, RTD does not anticipate seeking federal funds to help with construction. However, due to the presence of wetlands along the corridor, a federal action - in this case a wetlands permit - is required for implementation. Therefore, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will serve as the lead agency because it issues the wetlands permit.
How does this environmental study differ from one lead by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)?
There are basically no differences between how environmental issues are addressed, regardless of which agency leads the study. RTD is still required to conduct a thorough environmental analysis and recommend mitigation if adverse impacts cannot be avoided or minimized. In the case of noise and vibration impacts, RTD will use FTA standards and regulations to guide the mitigation of those specific types of impacts. Additionally, the study must satisfy all National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. Therefore, for all intents and purposes, the level of analysis and requirements that the study must meet are the same as with any other FTA-lead environmental study.
How will the maintenance and layover facilities be addressed in the Environmental Evaluation?
RTD is studying a location northeast of downtown Denver for a central commuter rail maintenance facility that would serve all FasTracks commuter rail lines, including the Northwest Rail corridor. Therefore, no maintenance or layover facilities are being planned in the Northwest Rail corridor.
What is the Northwest Rail Corridor?
The Northwest Rail Corridor is a proposed 41-mile commuter rail corridor from Denver Union Station to Longmont via Boulder, passing through Adams County, Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville, Boulder, and Longmont. Commuter rail will operate along the existing BNSF Railway line. See the Northwest Rail Project Map here!
When will the Northwest Rail Corridor open?
RTD's current plans are to implement the project as scheduled in the FasTracks plan. Opening Day is slated for early 2015). RTD will continue to do everything possible to meet this schedule. Click here to go to the Project Schedule.
Where will the rail stations be along the Northwest Rail Corridor?
The RTD FasTracks plan funds seven stations along the corridor:
• 71st Ave/Lowell (Westminster)
• US 36 & Church Ranch (Westminster)
• Flatiron/96th St. (Broomfield)
• Louisville (Downtown)
• 30th/Pearl (Bouder)
• Gunbarrel (Hwy. 119th & N. 63rd St.)
• 1st & Terry (Longmont)
During the early stages of the US 36 EIS, three stations (88th/Harlan - Westminster Center, 116th - Broomfield, and 63rd/Arapahoe - East Boulder) were added to the Northwest Rail corridor at the request of the local jurisdictions. RTD has stated that it cannot fund these stations, but that it is willing to work with the local jurisdictions to determine if these stations could potentially be constructed at a later time, pending availability of funding. The Environmental Evaluation will continue evaluating these three stations.
What is the purpose of the Northwest Rail Environmental Evaluation?
The purpose of the Northwest Rail Environmental Evaluation is to identify the community and environmental impacts that may result from the construction and implementation of commuter rail service along the BNSF Railway from Denver to Longmont. It will also recommend ways of lessening those impacts in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Environmental Evaluation will build upon the work previously accomplished in the US 36 Environmental Impact Statement and the Longmont Diagonal Environmental Evaluation.
What has already been decided?
Through the previous studies, the decision has been made to build a commuter rail line along the existing BNSF Railway from Denver to Longmont, via Boulder. In October 2007, RTD decided to use Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) commuter rail technology for the Northwest Rail. This decision was accompanied by RTD's adoption of the Responsible Rail Amendment that, among other things, requires RTD to buy commuter rail vehicles that rank high in environmental features, such as fuel efficiency and low emissions, and have the flexibility to accommodate future advancements, such as hybrid or clean-fuel systems.
What vehicle technology is planned for use in the Northwest Rail corridor?
Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) will be the commuter rail technology for the Northwest Rail Corridor.
What is the schedule for the Environmental Evaluation and when can the public participate?
You can participate in the Environmental Evaluation throughout the study. In July 2007, RTD held public workshops to identify the study issues that are most important to you. RTD will continue to conduct public workshops at other key study milestones to hear your feedback about the study's findings and recommendations. RTD will release the draft Environmental Evaluation for public comment in the fall of 2008 and will forward the final document to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in early 2009. Click here to go to the Project Schedule.
Are public workshops the only time the public can submit input?
No. Although public workshops provide great opportunities to interact with the project team and learn more about the Northwest Rail Corridor, your input can also be submitted in writing to Karen Morales, RTD-FasTracks, 1560 Broadway #700, Denver, CO 80202, or by clicking here.
Why is an environmental study needed for the Northwest Rail corridor? Hasn't RTD already been studying the rail line for the past several years?
RTD has examined both highway and rail improvements in the Denver-Boulder section of the corridor over the past few years through the ongoing US 36 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. RTD has also examined rail improvements in the Boulder-Longmont section of the corridor through the Longmont Diagonal Rail Feasibility Study and the subsequent Longmont Diagonal Rail Environmental Evaluation. The Northwest Rail Environmental Evaluation will combine data for both parts of the corridor into one document for review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Why isn't the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) the lead agency for this project? Why is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the lead agency?
Federal regulations require the completion of an environmental study for major transportation projects if there are federal funds involved or if a federal action or approval is required. In the case of the Northwest Rail corridor, RTD does not anticipate seeking federal funds to help with construction. However, due to the presence of wetlands along the corridor, a federal action - in this case a wetlands permit - is required for implementation. Therefore, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will serve as the lead agency because it issues the wetlands permit.
How does this environmental study differ from one lead by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)?
There are basically no differences between how environmental issues are addressed, regardless of which agency leads the study. RTD is still required to conduct a thorough environmental analysis and recommend mitigation if adverse impacts cannot be avoided or minimized. In the case of noise and vibration impacts, RTD will use FTA standards and regulations to guide the mitigation of those specific types of impacts. Additionally, the study must satisfy all National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. Therefore, for all intents and purposes, the level of analysis and requirements that the study must meet are the same as with any other FTA-lead environmental study.
How will the maintenance and layover facilities be addressed in the Environmental Evaluation?
RTD is studying a location northeast of downtown Denver for a central commuter rail maintenance facility that would serve all FasTracks commuter rail lines, including the Northwest Rail corridor. Therefore, no maintenance or layover facilities are being planned in the Northwest Rail corridor.
