In February 2015, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), sponsored by the Bridge Enterprise Program, began reconstructing a one half mile portion of Federal Boulevard (US 287) from W 67th Avenue to W 70th Avenue through the City of Westminster in Adams County. The reconstruction of this area included the replacement of a structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. The new bridge accommodates the new RTD Eagle P-3 Commuter Rail Line underneath and was built wider to meet phasing requirements for maintaining two lanes in each direction during construction. The project also included extensive earthwork at the bridge approaches, new retaining walls and asphalt overlay, safety improvements, storm sewer expansions for better roadway drainage, and enhancements to the recreational path underneath the bridge.
Background
The bridge and associated construction will be completed in three phases. The first traffic phase, which was implemented in mid-2015, put all four lanes of traffic on the east side of the road to assist with construction on the western portion of the bridge and approach. Throughout the duration of phased construction, lane and shoulder widths were reduced and lane changes were limited. For the entirety of construction, all business accesses remained open and accessible to the public. The sidewalk on Federal Boulevard also remained open, although the recreational path underneath the bridge had to be closed. This project also involved limited lane closures during non-peak periods of travel.
Project Benefits
As part of the project, CDOT and Hamon Infrastructure constructed enhancements and aesthetic improvements for the City of Westminster that tie into work occurring for the Westminster Station Transit-Oriented Development adjacent to the project. These enhancements included aesthetic fencing and pedestrian railing, sidewalk additions and improvements, a raised median with planters, and a new signal at 69th Avenue.
