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Behind-the-scenes look at the R Line

Posted at 12:55 PM, Feb 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-17 14:55:29-05

AURORA, Colo. -- RTD is once again expanding it's light rail service, this time with the opening of the R Line through Aurora. 

The train officially opens next week, but Denver7's Jason Gruenauer took a preview ride Friday. 

The R Line will run from the Peoria Station in Aurora all the way to the Lincoln Station in Line Tree. Riders will be able to board at eight brand new stations across Aurora and travel all the way to Lone Tree to the south, DIA to the east, or downtown Denver and beyond to the east.

The R Line was supposed to open in December but was pushed back to a February opening date. 

Denver7 spoke to RTD General Manager Dave Genova about the challenges of the new line, which runs through parts of Aurora at street level, and what's being done to make sure everything works. 

"Being able that we get the train traffic through the city center smoothly and efficiently but also the automobile traffic,” Genova said. “It's a big challenge doing that design, but I'm very pleased the times I've ridden the train. We get through city center very nicely and all the traffic train interface seems to be working very well.”

He added that RTD has been running the R Line on a simulated schedule for days and so far he says everything has been "running smoothly."

The official opening date for the R Line is Friday, February 24. All rides that day will be free.