Supplemental_for_926DR013_RFI_Rail_Infrastructure_Work.pdf

Regional Transportation Distric1660 Blake Street, Denver CO 80202 rtd-denver.com

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

(RFI) 926DR012

RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE WORK PROGRAM

Rail Infrastructure Work Program RFI 926DR012

Engineering Division June 2026Page 2 of 15

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

EXISTING SYSTEM INFORMATION

RAIL RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM GOALS

FUTURE POTENTIAL SCOPE OF WORK 1: CENTRAL CORRIDOR - 7TH AND COLFAX TO I-25 & BROADWAY

Corridor characteristics

FUTURE POTENTIAL SCOPE OF WORK 2: SOUTHWEST CURVES - I-25 & BROADWAY TO LITTELTON-MINERAL

STATION

Corridor characteristics (entire corridor)

FUTURE POTENTIAL SCOPE OF WORK 3: CENTRAL PLATTE VALLEY CURVES – AURARIA PARKWAY TO 15TH

STREET

Corridor characteristics (entire corridor)

SHUTDOWNS ALLOWED

CONTRACTOR SCOPE OF WORK OUTLINE

RAIL SERVICE SCHEDULES

RIGHT-OF-WAY CONSIDERATIONS

TECHNICAL STANDARDS RELATED TO WORK

RTD RESPONSIBILITIES

CONTRACTOR’S GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

SAFETY AND SECURITY CERTIFICATION

RESPONDENT QUESTIONNAIRE 1 – RAIL TRACK AND SYSTEMS

EXHIBIT 1 - RTD MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY STANDARDS

EXHIBIT 2 - LIGHT RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE CONDITION ASSESSMENT INSPECTION PROCEDURE

EXHIBIT 3 – TRACK CHARTS CENTRAL CORRIDOR

EXHIBIT 4 – SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR ALIGNMENT

EXHIBIT 5 –TYPICAL LIGHT RAIL TRACK CROSS-SECTIONS AND STATION CLEARANCES

Engineering Division June 2026Page 3 of 15

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Regional Transportation District (“RTD” or the “District”) is in the early stages of planning defined cycles of light rail renewal, modernization, support for high-volume events work, and investments undertaken in cooperation with other entities.

By this Request for Information (RFI) RTD is seeking information from contractors, manufacturers, and vendors with demonstrated products, skills and expertise to conduct full-depth reconstruction, interim repairs (when necessary) and prepare for future modernization while keeping the existing system operational to the greatest extent possible. This RFI is NOT seeking to engage with design professionals.

RTD has launched a new Strategic Initiative called Building a Better RTD which includes elements of Advancing Infrastructure work. Planning for full-depth rail reconstruction involves building reasonable alternatives for customers and delivering the maximum amount of reconstruction within the scheduled shutdowns. The intent is to implement full-depth rail reconstruction work in an impacted segment all at one time, so that the lifespan of the rail assets can be reset, and the segment does not see a disruption for reconstruction for another 30 years. Interim corrective actions may also be required on the system, but the main priority for RTD is to identify the most efficient manner to conduct full-depth rail reconstruction at key locations. If any system improvements are needed and feasible, those should also be undertaken at the same time.

Interested contractors, manufacturers, and vendors are requested to review the outline scope for the first focus area and complete the Respondent Questionnaire. RTD will select contractors, manufacturers, vendors at its sole discretion to have follow-up contact. The criteria used for selection will be 1) Relevance to planning and scheduling the reconstruction work and 2) Technology and products that RTD staff are not familiar with. In follow-up conversations, RTD staff may enquire about potential pricing ranges.

Responding to this RFI will provide contractors, manufacturers, and vendors the opportunity to engage with RTD staff prior to solicitations being issued, so RTD can incorporate their suggestions and feedback.

Responding to this RFI is NOT a prequalification. Not responding will not affect any firm’s capability to apply for any subsequent solicitation.

RTD plans to use information obtained from this RFI to develop scopes of work and associated contract provisions to contract with one or more vendors. The ensuing contracts may be on-call work order type, or other contractual mechanisms.

The Rail Infrastructure Work Program will encompass all elements of rail Systems, including the vehicle interface. The term “Systems” as used in this RFI pertains to Traction Power Electrification, Signaling, Systemwide Electrical, Communications, and the Vehicle interface.

It is intended for the geographic extent of the work to be all of the RTD rail system, except the A, B, and G lines which are maintained through a long-term concessionaire agreement. The initial focus will be on the Light Rail System.

The services RTD may contract for are:

1) Performing full-depth reconstruction of rail lines

2) Interim corrective repairs as needed

3) Performing system modifications

Engineering Division June 2026Page 4 of 15

Three potential future scopes of work identified for reconstruction are described within in an outline form, exhibits, and with some additional details. RTD will fund the scope through the Agency’s Asset Management Program run capital project planning process.

EXISTING SYSTEM INFORMATION

RTD is a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, United States of America responsible for developing, maintaining, and operating a mass transit system for the benefit of its service area. The RTD service area encompasses portions of the eight-county region including the City and County of Broomfield, the City and County of Denver, the Counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, Jefferson, and Weld. The service area is 2,345 square miles.

The RTD opened its first electrified rail line in 1994. Since then, 114 miles of rail have been constructed at various points in time. RTD runs both Light Rail and Commuter Rail. System characteristics are below.

Technology Miles of track

Stations Overhead Catenary system

Regulator

Light Rail 60.1 57 750 Volts Direct Current

Colorado Public Utilities Commission

Commuter Rail 54.1 27 25,000 Volts Alternating Current

Federal Railroad Administration

All highway rail grade crossings on Commuter Rail are also under the purview of Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

The initial reconstruction work is expected to be on the Light Rail system. See Exhibit A for a Light Rail System map. Based on age considerations, segments of Lines D, E, H, and W have been identified for planning reconstruction work.

RAIL RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM GOALS

A. Prioritize implementation of full-depth rail reconstruction and systems work so that the lifespan of rail assets can be reset, and the segment does not see a disruption for reconstruction for another 30 years.

B. Keep rail and systems elements in a condition ready to deliver service, operating at a full level of performance, minimizing impact on service delivery.

C. Explore modernization needs and not preclude them. Work towards modernization as feasible.

D. Provide customers with advance notice of planned disruptions and provide alternative service.

E. Once a rail segment is shut down, update all infrastructure and related systems to the extent possible.

F. Optimize the work that needs to be done with shutdowns required.

Engineering Division June 2026Page 5 of 15

G. Program Standards

a. For trackwork, full depth reconstruction is the goal, to reset expected useful life, and to align with Agency capital project funding expectations. Interim fixes may be implemented if conditions warrant.

b. For systems work, the program standards are in development. RTD is currently undertaking a RFQual 126DR008: Light Rail Systems Asset Management Gap Assessment and Implementation Plan study. The systems gap assessment is intended to define the system, identify current condition and performance, document dependencies, and establish the plan to achieve compliance and readiness.

c. RTD will also incorporate lessons learned from the Downtown Denver Rail Reconstruction Project, currently underway.

FUTURE POTENTIAL SCOPE OF WORK 1: CENTRAL CORRIDOR - 7TH

AND COLFAX TO I-25 & BROADWAY

This section is the oldest open ballasted double track section of the RTD Light Rail system. It is the main trunk of RTD Light Rail Services and opened for service in 1994. The train yard where all Light Rail services originate is Elati. The Corridor opened for Rail service in 1994. See Exhibit B.

Corridor characteristics

1. Corridor length: 2.91Miles (15400 Ft)

2. Track Length: 6.2 Miles (33500 Ft)

3. Track Centers: 14 Ft (Center OCS)

4. Min Curve Radius: R=158 Ft

5. Max Grade: 4.52%

6. Two at Grade Crossings: Bayaud, and 13th Avenue

7. Three Stations with 1500 feet paved track: Broadway, Alameda,10th and Osage

8. Special Trackwork: 4 Crossovers, 7 Turnouts, 1 Diamond

a. Broadway Crossover

b. Alameda Third Track Switch

c. South Mariposa Crossover

d. South Mariposa Lead Turnout

e. North Mariposa Lead Turnout

f. North Mariposa Crossover

Engineering Division June 2026Page 6 of 15

g. Freight Lead Crossover (Half)

h. Central Platte Valley Junction: 3 Turnouts 1 Diamond, 7th Street Crossover

9. Track Bridges

a. Alameda Bridge at 85 Ft

b. Santa Fe & 1st Ave at 340 Ft

c. Kalamath & 3rd at 360 Ft

FUTURE POTENTIAL SCOPE OF WORK 2: SOUTHWEST CURVES - I-25 &

BROADWAY TO LITTELTON-MINERAL STATION

This section includes Elati Rail Yard, where all light rail services originate and return to. See Exhibit C

Corridor characteristics (entire corridor)

1. Corridor length: 9 Miles

2. Track Length: 18.02 Miles

3. Track Centers: 14 Ft (Center OCS)

4. Min Curve Radius: R=490 Ft

5. Max Grade: 6.0%

7. No at Grade Crossings

8. Five Stations: Littleton/Mineral, DT Littleton, Oxford, Englewood, Evans.

8. Special Trackwork: 6 Crossovers, 9 Turnouts

9. Track Bridges

A. Mineral

B. Big Dry Creek

C. Tufts Flyover

D. Belview

E. Oxford

F. Hampden

G. Dartmouth

H. Iowa Flyover

Engineering Division June 2026Page 7 of 15

I. Mississippi

FUTURE POTENTIAL SCOPE OF WORK 3: CENTRAL PLATTE VALLEY

CURVES – AURARIA PARKWAY TO 15TH STREET

See Exhibit D

Corridor characteristics (entire corridor)

1. Corridor length: 2.05 Miles

2. Track Length: 4.1 Miles

3. Track Centers: 14 Ft (Center OCS)

4. Min Curve Radius: R=165 Ft

5. Max Grade: 3.07%

6. Two at Grade Crossings:5th, and Walnut St

7. Four Stations: Auraria West, Empower, Ball And DUS.

8. Special Trackwork: 7 Crossovers, 6 Turnouts

9. Track Bridges

a. Cherry Creek Bridge

b. 15th St Bridge

Engineering Division June 2026Page 12 of 15

SHUTDOWNS ALLOWED

These will be determined well in advance by RTD, to prepare alternate service plans, and for customer and community notifications. RTD will determine the scope of the work to be performed. Contractor will schedule the work to be performed.

CONTRACTOR SCOPE OF WORK OUTLINE

1. Propose work packages and strategies to minimize impact to customers for RTD review and acceptance. Contractor to recommend, and RTD to decide. Considerations may be:

a. Conditions warranting interim fixes

b. Correcting for underlying subgrade and drainage issues

c. Production issues

d. Rail systems issues

e. Any upgrades that may need to be made

f. Other considerations.

2. Pricing and shutdown agreement

a. Area to be worked on, hours of work, trying to maximize the time available

b. Noise Ordinance restrictions

c. Construction impacts

d. Rail service needs to run for high-volume and significant community events.

3. Campaign Execution – Reporting on progress of planned versus work implemented.

4. Quality control and Quality Assurance - Reporting on processes and material testing to build a quality product

RAIL SERVICE SCHEDULES

Schedules for RTD rail operations can be found at https://www.rtd-denver.com/app/schedules.

The RTD rail system currently operates about 20 plus hours a day. Based on the segment, the downtime may be about 30 minutes to 2 hours. The “shutdown” windows are used by RTD to perform maintenance work on the tracks and to prepare for the next service day.

RTD is adopting a policy of providing bus bridges when rail service is disrupted. Bus bridges need senior leadership approval and are complex to arrange.

Engineering Division June 2026Page 13 of 15

The service disruptions for any calendar year need to be planned by June of the previous year, to arrange for funding, contracts, buses and operators. Public communications and messaging needs to be planned.

RIGHT-OF-WAY CONSIDERATIONS

Majority of the work is expected to be in right-of-way controlled by the Agency. The network may have some areas where the rail runs on other jurisdiction’s right-of-way. Work on some lines may need notifications of the adjacent freight railroads.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS RELATED TO WORK

The following technical standards are expected to apply to the Program:

Light Rail MOW Track Safety Standard

Light Rail Infrastructure Condition Assessment Inspection Procedure

RTD Light Rail 2024 Design Criteria

RTD Specifications

Public Utility Company Technical Standards (Xcel Energy, Denver Water, etc.)

RTD’s safety certification requirements

The Program will be developed in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

RTD RESPONSIBILITIES

RTD staff will be actively engaged in and have oversight of the State of Good Repair Program. RTD’s tasks are generally expected to include:

A. Service disruption accommodation and seeking of public input

B. Detouring bus services from the construction areas

C. Making provision of alternate service for customers

D. Customer outreach conveying impacts to RTD services

E. Communicating information provided by the Contractor to the public via the RTD website, service change alerts, and digital displays at stations, among other communication methods

F. Providing existing as-built drawings and information it has.

G. Providing performance expectations for work to be done

H. Providing design plans and technical specifications

I. Shutting down overhead catenary system and restarting

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J. Shutting down rail service and restarting

K. Providing trains and operators for testing

L. Designating a Project Manager to govern the State of Good Repair program

M. Designating a team to have program oversight and internal coordination

N. Making internal staff available for review of Contractor plans

O. Quality Management Oversight

CONTRACTOR’S GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Contractor will be responsible for

A. Work planning and implementation.

B. Mitigating construction impacts on adjacent residents, businesses, and the traveling public, and keeping them informed. Working with RTD staff on communications as needed.

C. Ensuring small business participation

D. Ensuring adherence to schedule, budget, and quality

E. Proposing changes to improve the program, based on lessons learned from similar projects and best practices, with a focus on continuous improvement, innovation, and adaptation throughout the program lifecycle

F. Provide regular project status reports, to cover scope, schedule, budget, quality and risk items

G. Obtain any required permits.

SAFETY AND SECURITY CERTIFICATION

RTD will follow a safety and security certification process that is governed by:

https://www.transit.dot.gov/oversight-policy-areas/handbook-transit-safety-and-security-certification

RTD plans to follow a scaled safety certification, based on the scope of work as appropriate.

RESPONDENT QUESTIONNAIRE 1 – RAIL TRACK AND SYSTEMS

Interested contractors, manufacturers, and vendors are requested to complete the Respondent Questionnaire. RTD will select contractors, manufacturers, vendors at their sole discretion to have follow-up contact. The criteria used for selection will be 1) Relevance to planning and scheduling the reconstruction work and 2) Technology and products that RTD staff are not familiar with. In follow-up conversations, RTD staff may enquire about potential pricing ranges.

Engineering Division June 2026Page 15 of 15

EXHIBIT 1 - RTD MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY STANDARDS

EXHIBIT 2 - LIGHT RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE CONDITION ASSESSMENT

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

EXHIBIT 3 – TRACK CHARTS CENTRAL CORRIDOR

EXHIBIT 4 – SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR ALIGNMENT

EXHIBIT 5 –TYPICAL LIGHT RAIL TRACK CROSS-SECTIONS AND

STATION CLEARANCES