The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colorado, operates a rail system with 12 light rail lines and four commuter rail lines that cover 113 miles of track. As part of planned upgrades in the FasTracks program, the N Line expansion added six new stops along 13 miles of track, connecting Union Station with Commerce City, Northglenn, Thornton, and North Adams County.

Quality Assurance Inspection Services

Kleinfelder served as part of the quality assurance (QA) oversight team for this vital metro line extension, providing inspection and testing services for the installation of the project’s rail, electrical, and communications systems throughout construction. These systems are critical to help ensure the safe operation of the commuter rail line.

Throughout project construction, Kleinfelder helped to maintain compliance of constructed elements and worked to provide efficient resolutions to issues and questions, limiting the impact to the budget and schedule. Staff were trained to report all issues quickly, and work to resolve them at the lowest feasible level of the project team. Kleinfelder was also able to coordinate testing and inspections during limited track availability resulting in less disruption of services.

Quality Work

By utilizing Kleinfelder’s robust network of personnel across the United States, the project team was able to learn from and apply lessons learned from past projects. Kleinfelder’s project team was experienced in all areas of the project’s scope of work, including unique experience in rail and electronic communication systems. Through diligent efforts to assemble the right project team, construction work and reporting were reviewed regularly by RTD and consistently passed for approval.

Project Results

Construction on the N Line broke ground in March 2014 and was completed in 2019. The new rail and commuter line opened to the public in September 2020. It is operated and maintained by the Regional Transportation District. Throughout construction, Kleinfelder provided highly specialized inspection and testing services of the project’s rail, electrical, and communications systems installation.

Project Details

Location:
Denver, CO
Owner:
Regional Transportation District