18-Mile Federal Blvd Bus Rapid Transit Project Targets 2027 Construction Start
DENVER, CO — The transformation of Federal Boulevard is moving closer to construction as the Colorado Department of Transportation advances plans for an 18-mile Bus Rapid Transit corridor stretching across the Denver metro area.
Federal, Colfax & Colorado BRT Project Lines
The Federal Boulevard BRT project would extend from around Dartmouth Avenue to 120th Avenue, with service continuing to Englewood Station on the south end and toward Wagon Road Park-n-Ride on the north. The corridor would also provide connections with the B, G and W rail lines and other existing transit routes. The project has now reached approximately 30% design, providing a much clearer picture of how Federal Boulevard could change. CDOT is preparing to move into final design, with construction currently targeted to begin in late 2027 and BRT service planned for 2030.
The full project is estimated at approximately $318.4 million and includes 38 stations. The Federal Transit Administration's Small Starts profile identifies approximately 11.3 miles of new exclusive bus lanes, along with transit signal priority, 22 buses, modifications to an existing maintenance facility and branded stations featuring shelters, real-time arrival information and accessibility improvements.
Those improvements would not look the same across the entire corridor. CDOT is recommending a side-running configuration that adapts to the existing width and layout of Federal Boulevard. In some areas, existing shoulders or right-turn lanes could become bus lanes. Other sections could convert a third general-purpose traffic lane, while some portions could be widened to create additional space. More constrained areas could instead use bypass lanes, queue jumps and transit signal priority, while portions near the ends of the route would continue operating in mixed traffic.
Example of Updated Right Turns Along Federal | Sourced from the Federal Boulevard Corridor Plan
The newly released design plans show those changes block-by-block between Dartmouth and 120th, including proposed station locations, bus lanes and pads, pavement modifications, landscaping and raised medians. The plans illustrate that this is not simply a continuous pair of dedicated bus lanes running the entire length of Federal, but a collection of transit and street improvements tailored to different sections of the corridor.
Federal Boulevard was identified as a priority in part because it is already one of RTD's highest-ridership bus corridors. Existing buses experience significant delays, and CDOT estimates the BRT improvements could reduce transit travel times by more than 15%. The project would also include crosswalk and intersection improvements, new or improved sidewalks and upgraded passenger security around stations.
The FTA currently forecasts approximately 8,800 daily linked transit trips based on 2023 conditions, increasing to approximately 12,200 by 2045. The corridor is also expected to see considerable development in the coming years, with approximately 9,419 residential units and 730,000 square feet of commercial space planned, approved or under construction within the proposed station areas.
Proposed Plan for 14th & Federal | Sourced from the Federal Boulevard Corridor Plan
However, the entire $318.4 million buildout is not yet fully funded. CDOT has developed a phasing strategy that would allow portions of the project to move forward as funding becomes available.
The proposed first phase would concentrate many of the major infrastructure improvements between Alameda Avenue and 52nd Avenue, including 14 pairs of BRT stations, bus-lane improvements, transit signal priority, a fiber communications backbone and several queue jumps. Additional permanent and interim stations would extend service north and south of that section, allowing CDOT to work toward implementing the BRT operating plan across the corridor before all of the ultimate capital improvements are completed.
Funding for the complete project is expected to come from a combination of federal, state and local sources. The FTA Small Starts financial plan includes nearly $150 million through the federal Capital Investment Grants program, along with federal highway funding, state transportation funding and contributions from Denver, Westminster, Adams County, Federal Heights and RTD. The proposed financial plan does not represent a final federal funding commitment.
The project currently carries an overall Medium-High rating through the FTA Small Starts program, including a High rating for local financial commitment. CDOT's current schedule calls for final design to advance ahead of a targeted late-2027 construction start, with BRT revenue service planned for January 2030.
Proposed Plan for 112th & Federal | Sourced from the Federal Boulevard Corridor Plan
Project Team
Lead Agency: Colorado Department of Transportation
Transit Partner: Regional Transportation District
Regional Partner: Denver Regional Council of Governments
Local Partners: City and County of Denver, City of Englewood, City of Federal Heights, City of Westminster, Adams County and City of Sheridan
Engineering / Planning: Felsburg Holt & Ullevig (FHU)
Engineering / Design: Parsons
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All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.
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