US DOT extends $1bn for Denver’s Eagle P3 commuter rail line

US Department of Transport (DOT) has extended $1 billion in federal funding for improvement P3 Commuter Rail Line to ease congestion in the greater Denver.The federal funding agreement has cleared the way for construction to begin on the western segment of Eagle P3 also known as the Gold Line project, which will serve the suburbs of Arvada and Wheat Ridge. The East Line of Eagle P3, which has commenced construction will run from Denver’s historic Union Station nearly 23 miles east to Denver International Airport and will connect to existing light rail and bus service.

The 30-mile, two-pronged commuter rail project will reduce journey time by half from downtown Denver to the airport.The Eagle P3 project and Denver Union Station’s ongoing renovation are part of RTD’s far-reaching FasTracks programme spanning140 miles of rail and bus corridors.The entire project is expected to complete by 2016.