Representatives of the City and County of Denver, CDOT, and the city’s bicycling and business communities gathered October 10, 2022 to kick-off the installation of multimodal improvements on South Broadway.
Enhancements to add a new two-way protected bikeway, shorten pedestrian crossing distances, upgrade signal infrastructure for greater safety
DENVER – Representatives of the City and County of Denver, Colorado Department of Transportation, and the city’s bicycling and business communities gathered today to officially kick-off the installation of multimodal improvements on Broadway from 7th to Center Avenues that will improve safety for all along the corridor.
Highlights of the improvements being made over the next 12 to 18 months include installation of a two-way protected bikeway starting at 7th Avenue near the Cherry Creek Trail, down to Center Avenue, creating an important new north/south connection in the city’s bike network. Intersections along the stretch will receive curb ramp improvements, infrastructure to shorten crossing distances for pedestrians, and upgraded traffic signals with lights positioned over each vehicle travel lane, making stops more visible and noticeable to drivers.
“With these improvements, we’re creating a better and safer Broadway for all who travel the corridor, providing greater access to local restaurants, shops, and other destinations by bike and on foot and enhancing the connections between neighborhoods on both sides,” said Adam Phipps, Executive Director of Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Denver has contracted with Hamon Infrastructure to deliver the $14.3M improvement project using a combination of voter-approved Elevate Denver Bond funding and a $9.6M grant from Safer Main Streets Initiative in collaboration with CDOT and the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG).
“The Safer Main Streets Initiative supports infrastructure projects that improve safety and accessibility along urban routes, and this Denver project aligns with CDOT’s goals to improve conditions for travel and protect our most vulnerable roadway users such as pedestrians and cyclists,” said Jessica Myklebust, CDOT Region 1 Transportation Director.
The Broadway Multimodal Improvement Project is the culmination of extensive community input and planning that included a pop-up bikeway demonstration in 2015, followed by installation and testing of a two-way protected bikeway on a smaller stretch along the corridor to evaluate safety and operations. Collaboration with community and businesses has been a key component in evaluating a bikeway for Broadway and preparing for permanent infrastructure improvements.
“After years of advocacy from small businesses on Broadway and citizens all across District 7, we will finally have a premiere bicycle facility on Broadway,” said District 7 Denver City Councilman Jolon Clark. “This bike lane will make Broadway safer for all users, enhance the quality of life for our citizens, and give a big economic boost to our small businesses on the corridor as it connects to Denver’s broader bike network.”
The bikeway itself will be a first of its kind for Denver, incorporating two-way travel along a 1.5-mile stretch of roadway with vertical protection. Concrete curbing and a row of parking will separate the bikeway from the vehicle travel lanes.
“People in Denver want high quality, safe bike lanes so that they can choose to ride a bike more often and more places, and protected bike lanes create an attractive and viable travel option for people of varying ages and skill levels,” said Piep van Heuven, Director of Government Relations for Bicycle Colorado. “Statewide, we’re seeing investments in bike lanes making a positive difference in safety, property values, and boosting business.”
Additional enhancements that will be made to the corridor include streetscaping, including improving the landscape areas and growing conditions for street trees. Wayfinding signage will be provided to help guide people to multimodal connections along the corridor. Public art locations have been identified for areas along the corridor to complement Broadway’s unique character.
“We’re excited for these safety improvements to start and want to welcome everyone to Broadway while the work is underway,” said Luke Johnson, President of the Broadway Merchants Association. “The Broadway Merchants Association will continue to work closely with our partners at the City and County of Denver and Hamon Infrastructure to ensure that more than 100 small businesses on Broadway remain informed throughout this significant infrastructure update. While the era of the internal combustion motor comes to a close and electrification enters, it is our collective hope that the Broadway Bikeway will be a safe and lasting alternative for the next century of transportation on this historic and storied corridor of Denver.”
Work will begin first along the west side of Broadway, with enhancements to multiple intersections from 7th Avenue to Center Avenue. Phase 2 will then address the east side of Broadway, with intersection and infrastructure enhancements and addition of the protected bikeway. Phase 3 will complete final touches such as landscape plantings and permanent striping.
During installation of the multimodal improvements over the next year, people can expect access to businesses to be maintained, the shifting of travel lanes to support safety for all, including construction crews, intermittent lane closures, and sidewalk detours as needed. More information can be found at www.bit.ly/DenverMovesBroadway.