Welcome
Welcome to the Buchtel Complete Street and
Evans
Intersection Improvements Project
as part of the
University Neighborhoods Safer Streets Program
Hello!
We’re developing transportation safety and mobility projects to improve streets and the quality of life for residents, visitors, and businesses to ensure everyone is safe no matter how you get around.
If you participated in the fall 2021 virtual public meeting, welcome back! If you’re new, welcome aboard! We’re excited to share the progress we’ve made and to check in with you to ensure we’re on the right track.
As you navigate through the online meeting, you're invited to provide input on the refined designs for the project area.
How To Navigate
This is a self-guided meeting which allows you to participate at your leisure.
The following pages provide information about the project and opportunities to share your feedback. The Project Overview and Proposed Refinements pages have feedback activities. If you don’t have time to go through all the pages, you can quickly share feedback using the Vote button at the top of the page.
- Scroll down to view the items on each section of the meeting. Click on the arrows at the bottom of your screen to advance forward to the next section or to return to a previous section.
- You may also use the navigation bar on the left side of the screen to revisit any part of the meeting.
- You can view links or enlarge images by clicking directly on the respective item.
Tell us About You
First, Tell us About You!
Project History
Citywide Planning
- Denver Moves Plans, Complete Streets Guidelines and Blueprint Denver (2012 – 2019)
- Identified Buchtel as priority bicycle corridor and other corridors as mixed-use arterials or main streets
Area Planning
- Multi-Station Plan and Mobility Study & Next Steps Study (2017)
- Established concepts to improve safety along Buchtel and at major intersections
Elevate Denver Bond Package
- Voter approved funding for transportation improvements citywide (2017)
- Provides $8.4 million toward the improvements identified in the Multi-Station Plan
Denver has heard from community members during past studies, including Denver Moves and the 2017 University/Colorado Multi-Station Plan and Mobility Study, that you want better connections to the University Station and Colorado Station Areas, and that we should prioritize improving safety.
The Buchtel & Colorado Boulevard Intersection Improvements were approved by Denver voters as part of the Elevate Denver Bond. This safety and mobility project will follow the recommendations from these earlier studies to improve streets and the quality of life for residents, visitors, and businesses to ensure everyone is safe no matter how you get around.
Initial Studies
Multi-Station Plan & Mobility Study: University and Colorado Light Rail Stations
STUDY PURPOSE
The purpose of the Multi-Station Plan & Mobility Study was to identify a cohesive strategy and key implementable actions to increase local connectivity, access and mobility to the University and Colorado light rail stations, resulting in more vibrant people-friendly stations integral to the surrounding communities.
The Study ran from June 2016 through May 2017 and was funded through an Urban Center/Station Area Master Planning grant through DRCOG. The study was led by Transportation Solutions, in partnership with the City and County of Denver. The University of Denver, Regional Transportation District (RTD), Lincoln Property Company, Mile High Development, City and County of Denver Councilman Kashmann and Councilwoman Black and numerous local residents were instrumental to pulling together this plan.
Next Steps Study
The initial Multi-Station Plan & Mobility Study was then taken a step further with the Next Steps Study which advanced concept ideas for key transportation projects, which serve as the basis for this project.
Projects were selected to be included in the Next Steps Study based on community input, feasibility, timing, and potential funding sources. The Next Steps Study provides an additional level of concept design analysis and builds further public support before projects move to final design and implementation.
Study Goals
- Transform these stations from “backdoors” to central mobility hubs that
- Design a supporting transportation network that enables mobility options and changes in travel behavior.
- Catalyze land use, inspire innovation and encourage place-making.
Project Overview
Elevate Bond Projects
Building upon previous planning efforts, the City’s Project Team will use community and stakeholder input to refine designs to provide the following project improvements:
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On a street like Buchtel, cyclists need protection from the higher volume and higher speed auto traffic. Options include flexible bollards or posts, rubber or concrete curbs, or complete separation from traffic by putting cyclists on an adjacent path.
Crossing Buchtel can prove challenging with the higher levels of traffic and speeds. Providing safer crossings through the installation of crosswalks and indications for motorists to stop can improve safety.
Improving wayfinding along Buchtel and at the light rail stations on either end of the corridor can make Buchtel a more pleasant and easily navigated street.
Improvements at major intersections are focused on making pedestrian and bicycle travel more safe, comfortable, and convenient while also exploring ways to make auto travel safer and more efficient.
Pedestrian facilities will be improved where possible, including new detached sidewalks consistent with Denver's Complete Streets Guidelines. Transit upgrades, particularly at bus stops may also be included.
Program Overview
University Neighborhoods Safer Streets Program
The Buchtel Complete Street and Evans Intersection Improvements project is part of a larger transportation planning and design effort under the University Neighborhoods Safer Streets Program.
Completing connections: The overall University Neighborhoods Safer Streets Program is looking at the big picture of transportation in this area, including projects funded by voter approved bonds, scheduled maintenance like street paving and new construction. The program helps understand how this project connects to others, such as new sidewalk installations where they are missing, new bike facilities that can be installed when streets are repaved, and other bond funded projects that Denverites approved at the ballot.
In addition to the Elevate Bond Project elements that are discussed in this self-guided online public meeting, several other mobility projects are occurring within the area to make University Neighborhoods streets safer to cross the street, walk to shops, jobs, schools, bicycle to work, transit stops and move actively with assistive devices (i.e. wheelchairs and scooters). The following project updates are included, as well as links to planning efforts that are currently underway aimed at capturing a broader vision and project recommendations for the area.
Buchtel Complete Street & Evans Intersection Improvements
Major intersection improvements:
- University/Buchtel
- University/Evans
- Colorado/Buchtel
- Colorado/Evans
Major intersection improvements:
- Protected Bike Lanes (University to Colorado)
- Wider Sidewalks (Columbine to Saint Paul)
- Reconstructed Monroe Intersection
- Enhanced pedestrian and bicycle crossings
Sidewalk Projects
University Park Neighborhood Gaps:
- Milwaukee
- Saint Paul
- Adams
- Cook
- Madison
- University Park Neighborhood Gaps: Completed 2021
Bike Projects
- Buchtel Protected Bike Lane (Corona to University Blvd): Paving and Construction, 2022
- Birch Street Neighborhood Bikeway (Iliff to the Colorado Station Area): Design 2022; Community engagement in the spring of 2022 as part of the South Central – Community Transportation Network effort
- South Franklin Street Neighborhood Bikeway (Buchtel to Dartmouth): Design 2022; Community engagement in late spring/early summer 2022 as part of the South Central – Community Transportation Network effort.
Plans
- Near Southeast Area Plan (Goldsmith, Indian Creek, University Hills North, Virginia Village, and Washington Virginia Vale neighborhoods, including Colorado Station Area): Virtual community workshops March 1 and March 10, sign up at the project website.
- Denver Moves Everyone 2050 (Citywide): Community engagement throughout 2022, get involved at denvermoveseveryone.com.
Signal Project
- Evans Avenue & Ash Street New Signal
Project Area Map
The following map highlights the suite of projects included in the University Neighborhoods Safer Streets Program. The Buchtel Complete Street and Evans Intersection project will fill an important gap in the city's active transportation infrastructure.
Project Components and Goals
Multimodal Transportation and Urban
Design
Integration
The project aims to deliver holistic solutions that integrate a
robust public realm, green infrastructure, and safe and
comfortable transportation facilities.
Sustainable Infrastructure through Envision Certification
The City is committed to working collaboratively to address the
social, environmental, and economic aspects of this project. Envision
is a program used to identify sustainable approaches for improvement
throughout the entire life-cycle of a project. The City will conduct a
self-assessment according to the Institute for Sustainable
Infrastructure’s Envision sustainability framework and rating system.
As cities continue to grow and development moves forward, the need for sustainable, resilient, and equitable infrastructure becomes paramount.
ENVISION Learn MoreTimeline and Next Steps
Community Input
Community Input Key Takeaways
We have heard general support for the following:
- Improving safety at the major intersections
- Providing safer pedestrian crossings and traffic calming elements on Buchtel
- Improving the existing bike lanes on Buchtel
- Providing improvements that can be implemented on a shorter timeframe
Public Meeting Comments and Feedback
November 2021
Key issues mentioned:
- Signal timing at major intersections
- Channelized right turn lanes are perceived poorly
- Event traffic and pedestrian safety
- Monroe and St. Paul intersections
Safety concerns mentioned:
- Speeding vehicles
- Poor driver behavior
- The project area is not pedestrian and bicycle friendly
What We’ve Heard
Community Input Sustainability Priorities
In the fall of 2021, we asked you to identify your top sustanability priorities for this project.
Respondents ranked their quality-of-life values below in order of importance (top three include):
- Safety: safe crossings at intersections, safe bike lanes, decreased vandalism and crime, preventing crashes within the project boundary
- Mobility: transportation of any mode, cars, buses, trains, bikes, walking that provides access and contributes to the efficient movement of people, goods and services
- Health: options for safely walking, driving, biking, or accessing the nearby roads and bus systems as well as good water quality, clean air, and access to health services and recreation
Online Public Questionnaire Results
November 2021
Respondents ranked environment values in order of importance (top three include):
- Air quality
- Water quality
- Contamination (soil, surface, water, groundwater)
Your answers help the team better understand your priorities for the project and address them to the extent possible. Your feedback is a part of the Envision process, and the City is committed to understanding your goals and needs related to the project.
Project Progress
Project Progress & Concept Refinements
We’ve used community and stakeholder sentiment to identify bicycle facility improvements, safer intersections, safer crossing treatments, and improved signage, and lane markings for the Buchtel Complete Street and Evans Intersection Improvement project locations. Refined designs have been drafted for the community and stakeholders to provide input. We’ll use feedback from this virtual meeting and the upcoming pop-up events to improve the concepts.
Cross section only applies to Buchtel between Columbine and St. Paul
Potential Refinements: Buchtel Complete Street
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Buchtel Complete Street (University Blvd to Colorado Blvd)
Streets for everyone
- Maintain existing pavement width and bike lane configuration
- Add protection in the buffer area (curbs and/or posts) between bike lane and auto lane
- Add 6-foot sidewalk from St. Paul to Columbine on south side
- Detached sidewalk is preferred. Design to accommodate property and other constraints.
New crosswalks with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) will be used to supplement warning signs at mid-block crosswalks at Columbine, Fillmore, Cook, Monroe (every two blocks). The RRFBs alert motorists that pedestrians are using the crosswalk. Studies have shown that RRFBs significantly increase driver yielding behavior.
Image credit: City of Freemont, CA (https://fremont.gov/sb1)
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What is a complete Street?
Complete Streets are streets for everyone. They are designed and operated to prioritize safety, comfort, and access to destinations for all people who use the street. Complete Streets make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, jobs, and schools, bicycle to work, and move actively with assistive devices. They allow buses to run on time and make it safe for people to walk or move actively to and from train stations.
This makes the street network better and safer for people walking, biking, driving, riding transit, and moving actively — making your neighborhood connectivity a better place to live.
- Cycle Tracks are too expensive; bike lane protection can be accomplished with lower costs and fewer impacts.
- Protecting mature trees is a priority
- Vehicle speeds are too fast
Please note, the proposed refinement is a work in progress. In addition to collecting your feedback, we are continuing our engineering analysis of the proposed improvements.
Potential Refinements: Buchtel & University Intersection
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Buchtel and University Intersection
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- Channelized right turns are too fast
- Crossing after events at night is dangerous
- Heavy pedestrian traffic before and after events
Please note, the proposed refinement is a work in progress. In addition to collecting your feedback, we are continuing our engineering analysis of the proposed improvements.
Potential Refinements: Buchtel & Colorado Intersection
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Buchtel and Colorado Intersection
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- Difficult to cross Colorado due to the width and signal cycle is short
- Providing safer pedestrian and bicycle access to Colorado Station is high priority
- Signal timing should be revised to provide more time for turning movements.
Please note, the proposed refinement is a work in progress. In addition to collecting your feedback, we are continuing our engineering analysis of the proposed improvements.
Potential Refinements: Colorado & Evans Intersection
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Evans and Colorado Intersection
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- Lack of public/ stakeholder support for new channelized right turns
- Channelized right turns would result in major property impacts
What is a channelized right turn?
Turning roadways at intersections that provide for free-flow
or nearly free-flow right-turn movements. Channelization can
be provided in a variety of forms including painted pavement
areas and curbed islands.
Please note, the proposed refinement is a work in progress. In addition to collecting your feedback, we are continuing our engineering analysis of the proposed improvements.
Potential Refinements: University & Evans Intersection
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Evans and University Intersection
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- Pedestrian and turning vehicle conflicts are the main concern
Please note, the proposed refinement is a work in progress. In addition to collecting your feedback, we are continuing our engineering analysis of the proposed improvements.
Are we on the right track?
What is most important to you?
Stay Involved!
Subscribe to Councilwoman Kendra Black's Newsletter
Subscribe to Councilman Paul Kashmann's Newsletter
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Event 1: Winter Bike to Work Day on Feb. 11, 2022 - coffee station at Race Street & Evans Ave (near DU Community Commons area/Bike Path) from 6:30 am - 9 am.
Event 2: Pop-Up at Junction Food & Drink (2000 S Colorado Blvd Building IV, Denver, CO 80222) from 12 pm - 1 pm