Villa Park Neighborhood Assoc.

LIGHT RAIL COMING TO VILLA PARK?

Sep 22, 2001

In June 2001, RTD kicked off a more comprehensive study to pick up where the 1997 Major Investment Study left off for the West Corridor Light Rail project Light rail is proposed along the Lakewood-Dry Gulch open space. This study, which will ultimately lead to an Environmental Impact Statement or EIS, is to look at the positive as well as negative impacts of mass transit improvements along this route. One of the key criteria used to evaluate the route is its cost effectiveness. Preliminary Engineering (PE) is conducted at the same time as the EIS in order to develop a much better cost estimate for the construction, implementation and operation of the light rail system extension and roadway improvements.

It?’s important to understand that an EIS/PE is only the second step toward implementing a transportation solution and no construction activity will take place any time soon. The EIS/PE study is investigating a variety of the technical and environmental issues involved with building forward thinking transportation alternatives that reflect the character of the communities and help manage problems associated with growth and congestion.



Parson Transportation Group has been chosen by RTD to collect and study information for the EIS/PE and advance the preliminary design and preliminary cost estimates. MGA Communications, Inc. will gather the public input and will have plenty of ways to get involved. RTD will be at our September Meeting of the Villa Park Neighborhood Association. If you have concerns about the west corridor line or you want t more information. Come to the next Villa Park Neighborhood Association Meeting at 810 Knox Ct. at 7 p.m.