A ribbon cutting and community "walk across the bridge" marked the re-opening. The Yale Avenue Bridge was estimated to be closed for six months during reconstruction, but crews from RTD, CDOT and SEMA Construction worked to get it finished earlier.
"We appreciate the tireless work and dedication that our partners SEMA and CDOT put into this effort," said Tom Tobiassen, RTD Board Director. "Getting the bridge opened ahead of schedule is not only an example of successful construction but also minimizes the impact to the community."
SEMA is building the I-225 light rail segment from Nine Mile to Iliff. The remainder of the project from Iliff to Peoria/Smith Station will be constructed by Kiewit Infrastructure Co. This summer, the RTD Board of Directors formally approved Kiewit's proposal to complete the I-225 Light Rail Line to Peoria by November 2015. The line would open in mid-2016 after about six months of testing.
The I-225 Rail Line project is part of RTD's FasTracks program. It is a 10.5-mile light rail extension that will travel through the City of Aurora and a small section of Denver. The line will connect the existing Southeast Light Rail Line at the Nine Mile Station with the planned East Rail Line at the Peoria/Smith Station and will include eight stations.
RTD's FasTracks transit expansion program will build 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and redirect bus service to better connect the eight-county District.
(KUSA-TV © 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)