ARVADA, Colo. -- RTD's long anticipated Gold Line is in the final phases of testing, and RTD said it still plans to have it open by the end of the year and possibly as early as the end of July.
RTD shared the update at the Old Towne Arvada rail station on Thursday, but would not give a specific timeline for when it will open.
The 11-mile G-line connects Wheat Ridge and Arvada with downtown Denver and ends at Union Station.
It was initially supposed to open in the fall of 2016, but software issues with the crossing arms have caused significant delays.
The G-line uses the same technology as the A-line, which has been plagued with the same crossing arm problems for months. It requires flaggers to be in place at every rail crossing, and crews to sound the horn at each location.
For business that surround the Old Towne Arvada station, the G-line can't come soon enough.
Ryan Galbraith, the owner of Cheapskates Action Sports Bar, said he's bought new furniture, added a brunch menu, and opened the front part of his bar to provide street view seating, all in anticipation of the new line.
"Gearing up for light rail," he said. "It was scheduled for last Halloween I believe was the original date, so it is a little frustrating."
"Good news is the feds accepted our design plan for the first-time last week so we're moving forward with actually proving that," said Nate Currey, a spokesman with RTD.
Once the feds sign off on the design plan for the A-line and B-lines, Currey said the G-line will finally open for business.
"It's taken a little bit of time, but it's worth it -- it is worthwhile to make sure that it's safe and it's done right," said Currey.
For owners like Galbraith, they're ready for new customers to show up at their front doors.
"We see a hopefully great future coming to Old Towne Arvada," he said.
