Denver, RTD study Welton transit options with $964,000 grant
A Federal Transit Administration grant is funding planning and concept design as Denver and RTD evaluate transit modes and street configurations for Welton Street.
Denver and the Regional Transportation District are studying future transit options on Welton Street with a $964,000 Federal Transit Administration grant that includes local matching funds, the RTD board packet says.
The grant supports planning and concept design, including evaluations of transit modes and street configurations, public input, technical analysis and an implementation strategy.
The funding supports the Welton Next Steps study, which Denver is pursuing with RTD as the agencies reconsider the Welton phase of the $150 million Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project. Denver has asked RTD to prioritize near-term safety, maintenance and accessibility work instead of immediately rebuilding the existing rail configuration for another 30 years.
The study’s first screening did not recommend advancing the existing planned Welton rail replacement configuration. The documented concerns include the reliability challenges of single-track operations, limited ability to separate pedestrians from travel space, no opportunity to widen sidewalks on Welton’s southeast side and limited curbside flexibility.
Bus, light rail and streetcar options remain under consideration. The study evaluated 19 roadway configurations for Welton and Downing streets and recommended multiple configurations for additional analysis. No final transit mode or corridor design has been selected.
The agencies plan additional technical analysis and community engagement through winter and spring 2027, with a preferred concept targeted for summer 2027. The RTD packet lists Denver’s presentation as a scheduled discussion for the board’s Sept. 22 meeting; it does not establish that the board has approved Denver’s request, changed the reconstruction project’s scope or selected a replacement design.