DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado Department of Transportation wants the community’s input on a couple of major proposed projects in downtown Denver that will replace two bridges over Interstate 25 and alter the on and off ramps near them.
The two bridges in question are at Speer Boulevard and 23rd Avenue, where they cross over I-25. While both CDOT and residents agree the bridges need to be replaced, discussion over the on and off ramps has led to disagreement.
Allen Cowgill, who lives in Sloan’s Lake, knows the 23rd Avenue bridge well.
“It’s a bridge I bike over a bunch throughout the year to get into downtown and the Cherry Creek Trail and the Platte River,” Cowgill said.
That bridge, and the one on Speer Boulevard, are both targeted for replacement as signs of aging show.
“They were built a long time ago, as you probably can tell,” CDOT spokesperson Tamara Rollison said.
CDOT sought public input on the proposed replacement projects at an open house Cowgill attended Monday night. Cowgill agrees the bridges need to be replaced.
“If you’ve been in the neighborhood for even a few years, you know that semi-trucks hit them on a regular basis because they’re too low,” he said.
But he has concern over the rest of the project, which would reconfigure the on and off ramps at each bridge. Rollison says they would change to what they call a braided ramp, saying it will improve access and merging distance on and off 25.
“You’ll have more room, you’ll have more time to make those merges,” Rollison said.
But Cowgill wants to see the ramps at 23rd Avenue go away entirely. He says the community agrees with him, largely because of biker and pedestrian safety concerns increasing with more traffic on new ramps.
“Right now it’s not really safe to do so and I think the option they chose will result in it being less safe than if they close the ramps,” Cowgill said.
Cowgill feels his community’s voice was ignored in favor of businesses in the area, who he says want the ramps open. Rollison says that in making the proposal, CDOT considered many opinions.
“We have to balance the needs of the community, of businesses, of residents, of the public,” Rollison said. “Of all people who are impacted, who travel on this stretch of roadway, regardless of how they travel.”
Cowgill hopes that in the end, he’ll be able to keep enjoying riding his bike safely along the bridge.
“That’s why north Denver is great, it’s a super walkable, bikeable neighborhood,” Cowgill said.
CDOT says that safety considerations are in place despite keeping the 23rd Avenue ramps open, including separated bike paths and expanded sidewalks along the proposed new bridge.
If you missed the open house on Monday, you can still provide your feedback on the proposal until Sept. 5 online at CDOT’s website here.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
