Environmental Issues

The West Corridor is expected to be a 12.1-mile light rail transit corridor between the Denver Union Station in downtown Denver and the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden, serving Denver, Lakewood, the Denver Federal Center, Golden and Jeffco (FasTracks, 2010). It was constructed because Denver recognized the importance that a passenger rail would have in helping to combat such issues as mobility needs, traffic concerns, and smart growth and green transit options in the rapidly growing metro area (Regional Transportation District, 2010). This is what led to RTD developing the comprehensive FasTracks rapid transit expansion program. RTD received a 308 million full funding grant agreement in January from the Federal Transit Administration for the 634.7 million line. It adds to twelve the number of stations facilitated for construction by the RTD.
Figure 1.1 Map of intended West Corridor

FasTracks. (2010). Due toweather, FasTracks West Corridor postpones roll-out of 6th Avenue Light Rail Bridge one week. Retrieved April 27, 2010, from HYPERLINK httpwww.rtd-fastracks.comwc_1httpwww.rtd-fastracks.comwc_1

Historical Background of the Project
The planning for the light rail in Lakewood began in 1995, when the Regional Transportation District (RTD) began the West Corridor Major Investment Study (MIS) to critically look at possible alternatives for faster transportation in the West Corridor. This was from downtown Denver to Golden in the general area between Alameda Avenue on the south and 26th Avenue on the north.

In the years that followed, there was much consultation and project planning, between the beneficiaries and the stakeholders of the project. Finally, in November of 2004, the citizens of Denver voted to approve the FasTracks ballot measure. Currently, final engineering is underway with a significant percentage of the design drawings finished in November of 2006 and with 90 design completion expected in February of 2008. The actual construction was expected to begin in 2008, and is expected to be finished in 2012.  A wide range of tests have been carried out, and the line is expected to open for passenger service in late 2012 or early 2013. The West Corridor light rail line and the associated station construction will be partly funded by the sales tax revenues generated by this measure. It will be the first to open as part of FasTracks (Planning and Public Works, 2010).

Stakeholders
A number of people stand to be affected (either positively or negatively) as a result of this project. Firstly, there are the people of Denver who will benefit from this project. This is because it will ease their mobility needs, remove from them the burden of constant traffic, offer them an opportunity for smart growth and it will also offer them green transit options in their area. They also stand to benefit because of the fact that this will create a wealth of job opportunities for the people living in this area.

Secondly, there is the FasTracks Company, which also stands to benefit as they will be the ones in charge of the actual construction of the light rail system. This will bring them a lot of monetary benefits as they will be paid for this project. They are also expected to bring in billions of dollars into the regional economy.

Thirdly, there is the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This is because they have chipped in 308 million to aid in the construction of the 634 million line. This money they gave to the RTD, which is the one facilitating the construction of the light rail transit. Lastly, there is the Regional Transportation District (RTD). They are the local lead agency that has been given the responsibility of implementing the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project. This will reflect positively in their organizations portfolio, and they will also benefit monetarily.

Resource Impacts of the Project
The construction of the light rail system is expected to bring with it impacts both on the environment and on the people living in that area. However, mitigation measures have been postulated to try and cushion the effects that they may have to undergo in order to make this project a bearable experience to all the people involved.

Firstly, there is the human (social) impact. It is estimated that with the commencement of this project, some land acquisitions will need to be done. Approximately 31 acres will be needed for LRT station areas, 18 acres for LRT Maintenance Facility, and 25 acres for LRT alignment right-of-way. For this project to take place also, some personal losses will have to be incurred. According to the Final Environmental Impact Statement, 34 businesses, 12 single-family residences, and 179 multi-family residences will be displaced. The people affected will however be taken care of as they will be given acquisition and relocation assistance following RTD and federal policies and procedures (FasTracks, 2010).

Secondly, the construction of this light rail transit corridor is expected to bring about changes to the areas economy.  The most obvious is the fact that with this project, there will be the creation of employment as LRT Maintenance Facility will employ 135 workers. One of the mitigation measures in this case that may also bring about a positive impact to the economy is the move to come up with public policy that will encourage transit-oriented development. In terms of the bigger picture, this FasTracks investment initiative is forecasted to create more than 10,000 jobs at the height of construction and is expected to also rake in millions of dollars into the regional economy.

Thirdly, it is reported that there will be minimal impacts to the ecosystem. In terms of air pollution, according to the Final Environmental Impact Statement, there will be none. In the case of pollution, some residential areas have been highlighted as those going to be affected by noise and vibrations as a result of the construction work that will be going on. Some measures, like the putting up of noise barriers and the installation of ballast mats will be put in place to help curb this problem (Fastracks, 2010).

Project Outcomes
The use of the rail option for transit is said to be the most efficient form of land transportation known to man (Kratsch, 1995). It is also said that it might be the only real solution to the issue of pollution and degradation of the ozone layer as a result of the harmful fumes that are released by various modes of transportation that are used by man. This would also solve other problems such as commuting, urban sprawl, gridlock, and airport congestion(Bnet, 1995).

Some of the proposed solutions that have been postulated as being as a result of this project are, first, that it will help cater for the mobility needs of the people in that area. This will make it easier for people to move a lot faster as there are no such things as traffic jams when one is using this mode of transportation, unlike when one is using vehicular means.

It has also been said to offer green transit options. What this means is that it will not cause damage to the environment in terms of air pollution. This is because light rail, powered by pollution-free electricity is not predisposed to pollute the environment.

Ratings
I support this project fully, and in a scale from 1  10, with one being the lowest, I would rate it as 8. I have not given it a perfect score because nothing is ever perfect, but when compared to the other means of transit that are used by people, it is the fastest, most convenient and pollution-free option that there is in the world right now.