Case Study: Denver RTD FasTracks Design Change Impact (2013)

Project Overview
• Name: Denver RTD FasTracks – East Corridor
• Location: Denver, Colorado
• Year: 2013
• Project Size: $1.5 billion
• Scope: Light rail transit corridor construction including stations and track infrastructure
• Lead Agencies/Contractors: Regional Transportation District (RTD) /

Category of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• Design
• Rail Infrastructure

Summary of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
Midway through construction, design changes to station platforms and track alignment were mandated due to updated ADA requirements and unforeseen soil settlement issues, leading to costly rework and delays.

Root Cause Analysis

• Initial designs did not fully incorporate the latest ADA accessibility standards.
• Soil settlement was underestimated in early geotechnical reports.
• Design updates were delayed due to slow communication among stakeholders.
• Insufficient early-stage coordination between architects and engineers.

Impacts Due to the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• 6-month delay to incorporate design changes.
• Additional costs of approximately $8 million.
• Increased risk of non-compliance with federal accessibility laws if uncorrected.

Corrective Actions Taken

1. Revised design to fully meet updated ADA standards.
2. Conducted additional geotechnical investigations to better predict settlement.
3. Improved stakeholder coordination and communication protocols.
4. Implemented concurrent review processes between architects and engineers.

Lessons Learned

• Regulatory standards must be continuously monitored and integrated into design.
• Comprehensive geotechnical assessments reduce risk of settlement-related issues.
• Early and ongoing stakeholder engagement accelerates design adjustments.
• Integrated design teams improve responsiveness and accuracy.

Audit & Prevention: Project Control Questions to Ask on Future Projects to Help Control the Situation

• Are current regulatory requirements fully integrated into design?
• Are geotechnical risks adequately assessed and planned for?
• Is stakeholder communication streamlined and proactive?
• Are design disciplines collaborating early and throughout construction?