Click map to enlarge
Welcome!
With your input and feedback, we’ve made progress with final design refinements. The City and County of Denver’s Department of Transportation & Infrastructure is ready to advance the Buchtel Complete Street and Evans Intersection Improvements project forward into the final design and pre-construction phases.
This is a self-guided online meeting for you to learn about the final design refinements.
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 spring/summer 2023 virtual public meeting, welcome back! If you’re new, welcome aboard! We’re excited to share the progress we’ve made between 2017 and 2024.
First, tell us about you!
The following information will help us make sure we are reaching people most impacted by the 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 & 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
What We Heard
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
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.
Project Overview
The following map highlights the suite of projects included in the University Neighborhoods Safer Streets Program. The Buchtel Complete Street and Evans Intersection project is part of a larger transportation planning and design effort under the University Neighborhoods Safer Streets Program.
University Neighborhood Project
Learn more
Click map to enlarge
Buchtel Complete Street
(University Blvd to Birch St)
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 a better place to live.
Project Improvements
Building upon previous planning efforts and initial design concepts, the following project improvements are included in the final design refinements as part of the Elevate Bond project.
Intersection Improvements
Improvements at major intersections are focused on making pedestrian and bicycle travel safer, more comfortable, and more convenient while also exploring ways to make auto travel safer and more efficient.
Street Signage and Lane Markings
Traffic signing, way finding, and pavement markings will be updated throughout the project area based on Denver’s latest guidelines for pedestrian and bicycling facilities.
Pedestrian Facility Improvements
Pedestrian facilities will be improved along the corridor, including new sidewalks consistent with Denver's Complete Streets Guidelines. A proposed sidewalk will be installed between University Boulevard and St. Paul. Pedestrian refuge islands will be installed at Buchtel intersections at University, Josephine, Columbine, and Monroe. The Colorado Boulevard and Evans Avenue intersection includes corner curb extensions to shorten crossing distance and median refuges on all four approaches.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
On a street like Buchtel, cyclists need protection from the higher volume and higher speed auto traffic. Concrete curbs will be installed as added protection in the buffer area between the bike lane and auto lane.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
Crossing Buchtel can prove challenging with the higher levels of traffic and speeds. Providing safer crossings through the installation of crosswalks at Cook and Fillmore and crosswalks with a median refuge will be used at Buchtel and Monroe and the Evans and Colorado intersection.
Traffic Signal Infrastructure Upgrades
Improvements are proposed at signalized intersections: Buchtel & University, Buchtel & St. Paul, Buchtel & Colorado, Evans & University, and Evans & Colorado. Bicycle traffic signals are also part of the design elements included in the project area at Buchtel & University and Buchtel & Colorado. The Evans & University intersection adds a signal phase for southbound right turns on green arrow.
Final Design
How did we get here?
We’ve used community and stakeholder input from 2017 to 2024 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. The final designs presented today represent the culmination of years of community engagement and feedback, showcasing the collaborative efforts that have played a pivotal role in shaping the final designs for Buchtel Boulevard and Evans Avenue.
Click on each tab below.
Buchtel and University Intersection
Changes coming to the intersection include:
- Reconfigured right turn lanes with raised pedestrian crossings to slow traffic
- Updated bike lane conflict markings to warn drivers to look for bicyclists
- Concrete curb protected bike lane to separate bicycles and motorized vehicles
- Buchtel Blvd will be reduced from two lanes to one lane to provide space for bike lane protection
- Sidewalk curb extensions at the northeast and southwest corners to shorten pedestrian crossing distances for safe crossing
- Double left turn lanes reduced to one turn lane off Buchtel Blvd to provide concrete median refuges at crosswalks on Buchtel Blvd
- Traffic signal replacement with added bike specific signals
Click map to enlarge
Buchtel and St.Paul
Changes coming to the intersection include:
- Improved ADA compliant pedestrian ramps provided at all four corners
- Crosswalk added to east leg of the intersection
- Bike conflict markings through the intersection to warn drivers to look for bicyclists
- Concrete curb protected bike lane on Buchtel Blvd.
- Intersection bike lane approach and receiving lanes on St Paul
- Traffic signal replacement
Click map to enlarge
Buchtel and Monroe Intersection
Changes coming to the intersection include:
- Monroe Street south leg is narrowed to shorten pedestrian crossing distance for safe crossing
- Crosswalks added to all four legs of the intersection
- Bike conflict markings through the intersection to warn drivers to look for bicyclists
- Concrete curb protected bike lane on Buchtel Blvd.
- Concrete median refuge added to east leg of the intersection
- Staff is currently working on landscaping plans for the area between the curb and sidewalk. The goal is to create an aesthetically pleasing environment with greenery that requires minimal water usage. We anticipate incorporating low-water-use plants and trees to enhance the overall appearance while ensuring sustainability.
Click map to enlarge
Buchtel and Colorado Intersection
Changes coming to the intersection include:
- Buchtel Blvd to Colorado Center Dr will be reduced from two lanes to one lane to provide space for bike lane protection
- Double left turn lanes reduced to one turn lane to provide bike lane protection from westbound Colorado Center Dr to Colorado Blvd
- Double left turn lanes reduced to one turn lane to provide bike lane protection from southbound Colorado Blvd to Colorado Center Dr
- Updated bike lane conflict markings to warn drivers to look for bicyclists
- Concrete curb protected bike lane to separate bicycles and motorized vehicles on Buchtel Blvd and Colorado Center Dr
- Sidewalk curb extension at the northeast corner to shorten pedestrian crossing distance for safer crossings
- South leg crosswalk realigned with added concrete median pedestrian refuge
- Traffic signal replacement with added bike specific signals
Click map to enlarge
Colorado Center Drive at Colorado Light Rail Station
Changes coming to the intersection include:
- Two through lanes reduced to one lane to add bike lanes
- Concrete curb protected bike lane and lane buffers added to bike lanes where possible
- Bike lane conflict markings added through driveways and along bus station bays
- Concrete median pedestrian refuge added to crosswalk
- Shared transit and bike lane across the bus bay area
Click map to enlarge
Colorado Center Drive and Birch Street at Colorado Station
Changes coming to the intersection include:
- Intersection converted to a 3-way stop (currently, only northbound Birch Street has a stop sign)
- Eastbound bike lane added with bike protection due to high vehicle volumes
- Westbound bike treatment is a shared facility due to lack of space and lower vehicle volumes
- Removal of dedicated right turn lane on south leg and added sidewalk curb extension to shorten crossing distance
- Northbound Birch Street is reduced to one lane.
- The dedicated right turn lane to Birch Street is for buses only. All other vehicles make turns to Birch Street after stopping at the intersection.
Click map to enlarge
Evans and Colorado Intersection
Changes coming to the intersection include:
- Concrete median pedestrian refuges added on all four legs
- Concrete sidewalk curb extensions added to the northwest and northeast corners to shorten crossing distances
- ADA compliant pedestrian ramps provided at all corners
- Traffic signal replacement
Click map to enlarge
Evans and University Intersection
Changes coming to the intersection include:
- On street parking removed with lane shifts on University Blvd to provide a dedicated signal controlled southbound right turn lane. This eliminates pedestrian crossing conflicts on the west leg as vehicles will only be allowed to turn on a green arrow.
- Concrete sidewalk curb extensions added to the northwest, southwest and southeast corners to shorten crossing distances
- Sidewalk curb extension at the northwest corner provides space for a larger transit stop and increased sidewalk width
- ADA compliant pedestrian ramps provided at all corners
- Traffic signal replacement
Environmental
The project involves aspects related to environmental and recreational resources.
NEPA
As part of the NEPA process, the project team evaluated the following resources as part of the Programmatic Categorical Exclusion:
- Air Quality
- Noise
- Hazardous Materials
- Biological Resource and Threatened and Endangered Species
- Wetlands
- Historic Resources
- Recreational Resources
- Visual Resources
As of 2024, the project complies with regulations regarding Prairie Park and the Historic Buchtel Boulevard. Additionally, bicycle facilities are viewed as part of the transportation network.
What is NEPA?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions.
What is a Categorical Exclusion?
A Categorical Exclusion (CE) is the most common NEPA class of action and are federal actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant environmental impact.
Historic Resources
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires federal agencies to evaluate the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. Section 106 consultations are currently underway for historic properties within the Area of Potential Effects (APE). The APE is the geographic area or areas within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause alterations in the character or use of historic properties. The Section 106 consultations are ongoing and involve collaboration with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and consulting parties, including the neighborhood association.
Recreational Resources
The project complies with federal regulations at the following recreational resources:
-
Prairie Park:
Meets 23 CFR 774.13(g), “Enhancement” exception -
Historic Buchtel Boulevard:
Meets 23 CFR 774.13(g), “Enhancement” exception -
Bicycle Facilities:
Considered to be part of transportation network
Prairie Park:The project is subject to Section 4(f) of the USDOT Act.
What is Section 4(f)?
Section 4(f) of the US DOT Act of 1966 declares that it is the policy of the United States Government that special effort should be made to preserve the natural beauty of the countryside and public park and recreation lands, and historic sites.
What’s next?
The City will be moving forward with pre-construction and construction activities over the next couple years in the following ways:
Click timeline to enlarge
Early 2024
Final Design
Final design will address:
- Right-of-way
- Business and property owner outreach
- Pre-construction outreach and notifications
- Stakeholder and public engagement and outreach will continue during this phase of the project. Pre-construction notifications will be distributed ahead of construction activities.
Late 2024 – 2026
Advancing to construction
- Pre-construction 2024 – 2026
- Construction phase and details (lane closures, phasing schedule, etc.) are anticipated to begin within the next two years.
Stay Involved
For more information
- Learn more about the project as part of the University Neighborhoods Safer Streets Program
-
Contact: Sam Beneck, Project Manager;
Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
Sam.beneck@denvergov.org
Follow us on social media
Subscribe
Subscribe to Councilwoman Diana Romero Campbell’s Newsletter (District 4)
Subscribe to Councilman Paul Kashmann’s Newsletter
