RTD's N Line Set To Open Monday

DENVER, CO — The Regional Transportation District's N Line is scheduled to open Monday. The agency is set to host a virtual grand opening celebration to mark the milestone, and free rides will be offered during the line's first week of operation.

The N Line — also known as the North Metro Rail Line — will connect Denver, Commerce City, Northglenn and Thornton. Six new stations were built along the line. The trip from Union Station to Eastlake — 13 miles — takes 29 minutes, officials said.

The new line is part of the Regional Transportation District's 2004 voter-approved FasTracks plan to expand transit across metro Denver. Construction of the N Line began in 2014.

The N Line's grand opening celebration will be held at 10 a.m. Monday. More information about the event can be found here.

Free rides for the public start at 12 p.m. Monday, and end Sept. 27.

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"For a safe riding experience, we recommend planning additional time for your trip in case trains are full due to social distancing guidelines," transit officials said in a public notice.

"When riding, please remember to wear your mask and maintain 6 feet from others for social distancing."

From Sept. 28  through March 27, 2021, as part of a promotional fare pilot program, travel along the N Line will be a flat $3 local fare, officials said. Discounts are also available for qualified riders. Parking will be free for 90 days.

The Regional Transportation District N Line project is expected to be extended to 18.5 miles into North Adams County — the remaining 5.5 miles will connect to SH 7/162nd Avenue Station. But the transit agency faces massive budget cuts amid the coronavirus outbreak, so a building timeline is unclear.

>> A map of the N Line can be found here.

>> The N Line's schedule can be found here.