Welton Next Steps - Neighbors - Please Take This Survey!
Gerald Horner
Dear neighbors. Part of the Welton Next Steps study is to consider alternatives to light rail service on Welton Street, and along Downing to connect to the 38th and Blake train to the airport. The Welton St light rail, in its current configuration, is ineffective. And, RTD is saying they can’t afford the Downing Street extension to 38th and Blake. They are explicitly saying they can’t make it work even if they could afford it. See page 7 of their Unfinished Corridor Report here
One question posed in this survey is to gauge how strongly we feel about waiting indefinitely for rail on Downing, “Light Rail must be preserved and connected to 38th and Blake Street over all other corridor priorities, no matter how long it takes” (my underlining).
I read this to mean, “the community wants something impossible and will stand for nothing less”, therefore RTD and the City can do nothing for an indefinite period.
That said, we all want to understand, if indeed light rail on Downing is not possible, what connectivity alternatives might there be (circulator, rubber wheel trolley,different form of street car, BRT, etc.). And we all want the historic Five Points Welton corridor to be vibrant, safe, and transit-rich. This Next Steps study, once complete, will help us understand our options for making Welton better for businesses, residents, and visitors.
Please take this survey below to keep the process moving toward a solution that can happen sooner rather than later (or maybe never). Thank you!
Gerald Horner, Welton Next Steps Community Advisory Group (CAG) member
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