JEFFERSON COUNTY — A trial run of the soon-to-be-opened West Rail Line on Wednesday revealed few problems and generated plenty of high hopes that it will make life easier for commuters in the west metro corridor.

“We’re extra excited for the people in the west,” said Austin Jenkins, assistant general manager for rail operation for the Regional Transportation District.

Jenkins and other RTD officials touted the benefits of the West Rail project during a media tour in advance of the official opening of the 12.1 mile line.

The West Rail Line — officially known as the “W” Line when it starts April 26 — is the first completed rail line of the metro-wide FasTracks program.

The W Line will run between Denver Union Station and the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden. It passes through 11 new stations that include six Park-n-Ride lots with 5,606 parking spots.

At rush hour, the $707 million line will run every 7½ minutes. RTD expects about 20,000 people will ride each day. The line includes 20 at-grade crossings — which is an intersection at the same level as the train — 10 light rail bridges, three street bridge reconstructions, three pedestrian bridges, two light rail tunnels and more than 4 miles of bike paths.

The W Line also has 9 miles of double-track and 3 miles of single-track light rail, which runs between Federal Center Station and the Jefferson County Government Center.

RTD worked with neighbors to ensure the rail cars will run as quietly as possible, RTD spokeswoman Pauletta Tonilas said. The line includes 11 “quiet crossings” where the rail car drivers will not blow their horns unless it is absolutely necessary.

Speeds through the quiet crossings also cannot be more than 30 mph, she said.

“We wanted to work with people along the line as much as possible to avoid conflict,” Tonilas said.

New bus routes will get people closer to the rail stations while new sidewalks, bike paths and pedestrian bridges have been built to connect Denver’s South Platte River Trail to Lakewood, Tonilas said.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Bridge, which spans both Indiana Street and West Sixth Avenue, is the longest structure on the line, measuring more than 1,531 feet.

At least 55 new light rail vehicles were purchased to accommodate the opening of the W Line and other future FasTracks projects. Each new vehicle, Tonilas said, underwent a 1,500-mile “burn in” period to get it ready for use.

It’s all part of the plan to make sure the April 26 opening runs as smoothly as possible, Jenkins said. “We will be ready.”

Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907, mwhaley@denverpost.com or twitter.com/montewhaley