Colfax Light Rail Station, Aurora, CO
The Colfax Station is an important link in RTD’s FASTRAX rail buildout throughout the Denver area. In a highly innovative configuration, the station is located on an elevated bridge directly above Colfax Avenue. Included in the station is a 265 foot steel signature arch structure, acting as a canopy over the station, as well as, a gateway feature for the City of Aurora.
The arch structure required very exact modeling for both Revit and the SAP structural analysis model as the structure is curved in two directions.
San Engineering provided Structural Engineering for this station and many others throughout the FASTRAX system. Typically, several stations were tracking simultaneously in the design phase. All elements were modeled to great detail in Revit and coordinated with the fabricator during construction drawing and shop drawing creation. Elevators, precast concrete stair systems, and bridge expansion accommodation were critical elements of the structural design.