The Regional Transportation District will be holding an emergency evacuation exercise simulating a disabled train on the N Line over the Skyway Bridge to test the response of six emergency response agencies.

The drill is scheduled to last four hours, between 6 a.m. and about 10 a.m. on June 29.

Rail service between the 48th and Brighton station and the Commerce City and 72nd station will be suspended during the drill.

RTD will be providing bus shuttle service during the exercise at 48th and Brighton National Western Center Station, track side of Brighton Boulevard, across from the post office and at the Commerce City and 72nd station, Gate D.

The district also recommends Bus Route 48 as an alternative.

“Emergency drill preparation exercises are conducted annually on RTD’s commuter rail lines by federal regulation to ensure the safety of RTD customers and the public,” said RTD spokesperson Pauline Haberman. “The drill demonstrates that N Line operations personnel, local law enforcement agencies and emergency responders can effectively review emergency protocols and demonstrate successful response procedures.”

The Skyway Bridge is the longest bridge in Colorado at 9,533 feet, or nearly 2 miles long. It has 64 pre-stressed concrete girders raised up to 50 feet above ground level.

Using a bridge instead of a surface railway provided RTD with better options to avoid environmental and traffic impacts, particularly when it comes to disturbing soil around the Suncor Commerce City refinery, Denver’s wastewater treatment plant, a paper plant and an irrigation canal.

Another obstacle avoided was the multi-track Burlington Northern rail yards, and it passes by the city’s historic Riverside Cemetery.

The N Line and bridge opened September 21, 2020.

Participating agencies include RTD, Adams County, Metro Water Recovery, South Adams County Fire Department, Adams County Fire Protection District, and Platte Valley EMS, said Haberman.

RTD advises the public not to be alarmed by a large presence of emergency vehicles along the route.