The 12.1 mile West Rail Line will open on April 2013, eight months earlier than original projections, prompting praise from Regional Transportation District officials Tuesday night.

“This is a huge accomplishment,” said RTD General Manager Phil Washington.

The West Rail project is the first of RTD’s FasTracks plans to built. The line was originally slated to open in December 2013 and then was moved up to May 2013.

But everything now indicates the project will commence passenger service on April 26, 2013, Washington said.

RTD was able to move the project up mostly because contractors and the local governments along the route have worked well together, said Richard Clark, assistant general manager for FasTracks.

“This is great news for everyone along the corridor,” said Clark.

The light rail transit line will serve Denver, Lakewood, Golden and Jefferson County, connecting Denver Union Station to the Jefferson County Government Center.

It’s expected to draw a daily ridership of 19,300.

A 1,000 space parking garage at 14th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard will serve as the line’s main hub, say officials.

Critics have targeted an RTD decision to only construct parking lots at six of the 12 stops along the West Rail line. The so-called “kiss-n-Ride” stops are more economical and practical than the standard Park-n-Rides, officials said.

But neighbors say the smaller stations will only encourage people to park their vehicles in local neighborhoods, causing congestion.

Washington added the West Rail line will add some 600 jobs in the area. “We will be putting people to work through this project,” he said.

Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com