Denver FasTracks
This country needs many ambitious transit projects to keep it running. One of them is the FasTrack system. A multi-billion-dollar public transportation expansion plan, it is expected to bring in 122 new miles of commuter and light rail, along with expansion of the T-REX project, 57 new transit stations and stops, 21,000 new parking spaces, 18 miles of a bus service between Denver and Boulder and the renovation of Denver Union Station as a multi-modal transportation hub. What are the main objectives of this project: they include similar goals from other initiatives mainly increasing transit-oriented development that will reduce sprawl, congestion and pollution.
While originally budgeted at $4.7 billion, it has ballooned to up more than $7 now. What happened? Once again, the usual problems of stalled negotiations with an existing infrastructure, economic impact of 2008 recession, inflation in cost of materials and delays in construction have made Denverites to wait for this project even more. With budget cuts, driver shortages and declining ridership among the existing transit lines, the state leadership has to definitely take a call if they want to focus on existing ridership or continue develop Denver FasTrack.
An overview map of the project (Image Credits: Denver Infill)
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