On July 24, the Board of the Regional Transportation District (RTD) voted 13 - 0 to select electric commuter rail (often referred to as EMU) on the BNSF/Union Pacific Railroad alignment as the preferred alternative for the Gold Line as part of the overall FasTracks project. This vote also included the technology employed on the East Corridor to Denver International Airport.

In addition, the board voted to eliminate the streetcar alternative, which was proposed to run on arterial streets including 38th Avenue, Harlan and Ridge Road, from consideration for the Gold Line.

For the past two months, the RTD Board was considering evaluating both electric multiple units (EMU) for commuter rail and diesel multiple units (DMU) for commuter rail along the Gold Line. The July 24 vote determined that electric commuter rail will be the preferred alternative advanced to preliminary engineering and evaluated in the Gold Line Environmental Impact Statement or EIS.

The Arvada City Council would like to publicly and enthusiastically voice its appreciation to the RTD Board of Directors and staff for supporting EMU technology for the Gold Line, and in particular thank the hundreds of Arvada citizens who have diligently attended public meetings, written letters, and shown their overwhelming support for the EMU alternative.

Our community has much to look forward to as FasTracks and the Gold Line move forward! Congratulations, Arvada!

Mayor Ken Fellman
Mayor Pro Tem Aaron Azari
Councilmember Don Allard
Councilmember Lorraine Anderson
Councilmember John Malito
Councilmember Steve Urban
Councilmember Marc Williams