Denver RTD Launches Dedicated Center-Lane Transit Corridor on East Colfax Avenue Ahead of Full BRT Rollout

Accelerating Urban Transit on East Colfax Avenue

DENVER, Colorado — The Regional Transportation District (RTD), in partnership with the City and County of Denver and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), has officially launched operations for dedicated center-running transit lanes along the East Colfax Avenue corridor. The activation marks a crucial engineering milestone in the phased delivery of the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, serving as an operational foundation before the full multi-station BRT network opens to the public in 2027.

The newly configured center-running lanes will immediately accommodate RTD bus routes 15 and 15L, which rank among the highest-volume transit routes in the entire Mountain West region, carrying more than 20,000 riders every weekday. By shifting high-capacity transit buses out of mixed curbside traffic and into designated center lanes, municipal transit planners project an immediate 20 to 25 percent reduction in peak-hour passenger transit delays across central Denver.

Targeted Safety Upgrades and Pedestrian Infrastructure

In addition to speed and scheduling improvements, the corridor overhaul introduces major streetscape and safety enhancements. Work crews have installed dedicated pedestrian refuge medians, upgraded high-visibility crosswalks with accessible audio-tactile countdown signals, and integrated transit signal priority (TSP) at 32 key signalized intersections between Broadway and Yosemite Street. These smart signal sensors communicate directly with approaching buses, extending green lights to keep passenger vehicles moving smoothly without disrupting transverse neighborhood traffic.

Financed through a strategic combination of municipal Elevate Denver bond funding and competitive Capital Investment Grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the East Colfax project represents Denver's largest surface transit commitment in decades. Construction teams will continue progressive platform buildouts, canopy installations, and off-board digital ticketing kiosk integration along subsequent segments of the 10-mile corridor over the next twelve months.

Transforming Regional Connectivity and Local Commerce

Local business development authorities and community associations along East Colfax have welcomed the transit improvements, noting that enhanced transit access provides essential connectivity for service industry workers, retail staff, and medical personnel commuting to central employment nodes. As construction progresses toward full 2027 BRT operations, Denver RTD plans to transition dedicated zero-emission electric buses into the corridor, advancing the city's long-term environmental and carbon-reduction targets.