RTD officials on Friday announced the removal of a slow zone speed restriction for northbound light rail trains between two stations in south metro Denver – along the Interstate 25 corridor at County Line and Dry Creek roads – saying this should improve travel times for people riding on the E and R lines.

But riders will face additional slow zones this month as RTD inspectors looking for wear and tear target more track segments around RTD’s 120-mile rail system, according to agency website postings. In May, RTD officials ramped up track inspections using stricter safety standards and in early June began establishing slow zones where train speeds are reduced to 10 miles per hour.

Over the past week, maintenance crews replacing substandard rail installed 418 feet of new rail, according to an agency filing Friday to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Not much work will be done through Sunday due to a “people power shortage,” the filing said.

The latest tracks targeted for maintenance work include segments between the Colorado and Southmoor stations, the County Line and Lincoln stations, the Nine Mile and Dayton stations, the Dayton – Belleview – Southmoor stations, and the Englewood and Littleton Downtown stations, RTD data shows.

Overall, slow zones remain along portions of the E, R, H and D lines where train operators must slow to 10 mph.

Riders can expect continued delays, depending on where they’re headed. RTD’s communications officials said the agency will lift more speed restrictions when maintenance crews complete repairs and preventative maintenance.

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Originally Published: August 2, 2024 at 2:25 p.m.