Go-ahead for Denver commuter rail project

The Denver Transit Partners (DTP) consortium has reached financial close and received the notice to proceed on the Eagle P3 commuter rail project in Denver, Colorado, US. The contract will see the consoritum build 57.9 km of commuter rail line under a US$ 2 billion design, build, finance, operate (DBFO) agreement.

The consortium is led by Fluor, and also includes, Balfour Beatty, along with its US-based professional services arm Parsons Brinckerhoff, John Laing plc, and Uberior Investments, Ames Construction, Hyundai-Rotem USA, Alternative Concepts, Inc. (ACI), Fluor/HDR Global Design Consultants, PBS&J, Interfleet Technology, Systra and Wabtec

The Eagle project includes the 'East Corridor', a new 22.8 mile (36.7 km) commuter rail line from the central Union Station to Denver International Airport and the 'Gold Line', a new 11.2 mile (18 km) commuter rail line from Union Station to the western suburb of Wheat Ridge. In addition, the consortium will build an initial 2-mile (3.2 km) of the network's Northwest Rail Corridor and a new maintenance facility.

The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 26 August 2010 and the construction work is expected to cost US$ 1 billion. Following completion, the consortium will operate the rail links over a 29-year operation and maintenance contract, also valued at US$ 1 billion. A second phase of work is expected to be let next year.