A Northwest Area Mobility Study conducted by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver and community stakeholders estimated a Northwest rail line could cost as much as $1.4 billion.
A total of 40 factors (one factor being cost) dictate the decision-making process of RTD, which is seeking out the best transportation opportunity for the Northwest area. The same study estimated the lowest cost for the line, which would run through Longmont, Boulder, Louisville, Broomfield and Westminster, would total $1.156 billion. Ridership would range from 7,300 to 8,900 each day by the year 2035.
The Northwest Area Mobility Study also weighed the idea of a Northwest Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which could cost between $255 million and $300 million, and may either provide another transportation option or complement the Northwest rail. The BRT could serve an estimated 16,300 to 26,600 people each day.