After Years Of Delays, RTD's G Line Service To Open At End Of Month

DENVER (CBS4) - An opening date has been set for RTD's G Line train, and it's just weeks away. The G Line is the commuter rail line that runs north from Union Station in Denver, through Olde Town Arvada and then west to Wheat Ridge.

The G Line will begin operating on April 26.

This is certainly welcome news to people in Arvada, whether they plan on taking the G Line or not. Many have been woken up by loud train horns during RTD's testing.

Businesses in Olde Town have had to adjust to the noise as well. Smokin Fins had to close their patio for nearly two years.

"People don't want to sit out there because every seven minutes it rolls past here and blows its horn. After a while it's just too much," said Kenneth Chaffee, managing partner at Smokin Fins.

Chaffee says some employees never get a break from the noise at all.

"A lot of our team members live across the street, and they don't get much sleep either," he explained.

Smokin Fins was built with the expectation of G Line riders stopping in. Chafee says this opening would've been nice two years ago, but better late than never.

"The whole community has been waiting and waiting, so it's the most exciting news we've seen in a long time," he said.

The opening has been delayed for years because of timing issues with the crossing gates. RTD says there will still be flaggers at some of the gates after the line opens, but quiet zones will be in place.

G Line trains travel a route that covers 11 miles and passes through northwest Denver, then into parts of Jefferson County and Adams County.

"It provides another key alternative to driving and being stuck in traffic," said RTD CEO and GM Dave Genova. "The G Line will operate from 4 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. with 15 minute frequency between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and a 30 minute frequency at all other times."

RTD is offering free rides on the G Line the day it opens. They expect ridership to be around 9,000 people per day.