MEETING TYPE:         Bicycle/Pedestrian Mobility Citizen’s Working Group MEETING DATE:         April 28, 2004 MEETING LOCATION: Athmar Park Library (1055 S. Tejon)

ATTENDEES
Tracy Cochran	APNA	Andrew Hornbrook
Bob Montoya	DPD BSU	Fred Criswell
Kira Lapin	Baker	Thor Gjelsteen	FHU
Scott Burger		Kevin Maddoux	FHU
Robin Hunt	Mayors Bicycle Advisory	Dean Bradley	FHU
Steve Harley	Baker
Loretta Kochler	Baker

PREPARER: Dean Bradley, FHU
SUBJECT: Bicycle/Pedestrian Mobility in the Valley Highway EIS Corridor

To present and discuss bicycle/pedestrian improvements currently considered in the three system alternatives.

MEETING SUMMARY

An overview of the three current system alternatives and the bicycle pedestrian improvement options associated with each was provided by FHU. Concerns were addressed and are detailed below:

GENERAL ISSUES/CONCERNS

Broadway/Lincoln Area Bicycle Pedestrian Improvements

1. Bike access to and within the RTD site is an issue because access is for busses only, and bicyclists/pedestrians are forced to Kentucky.

2. Access from the West Washington Park neighborhood to the RTD station along Ohio should be as straight as possible. A number of intersection/path modifications were discussed.

3. East/West access to the RTD site at Exposition in System Alternative 3 may be an option but could be problematic because it may not be advocated by CCD and the West Washington Park HOA. A traffic signal was removed at Lincoln and Exposition in an attempt to deter traffic in the neighborhood. As in this alternative could induce the same traffic.

4. All considerations should include north-south access from the Alameda Station/Baker neighborhood along a Cherokee Street extension.

5. Audio signals for sight impaired are recommended for crossings with traffic signals.

System Alternative 1

Presented Alternative:
Bicycle/Pedestrian movement would be from the north side of Ohio Avenue across Lincoln to the west side of Lincoln and across Lincoln to the south side of Ohio. Movement would continue across Broadway to access the RTD Park -n- Ride.

Comments

• A diagonal crossing for bicycles should be provided for the northeast side to the southwest side of Ohio across Lincoln St.
• Integrate an on-street bike lane with bus access road into the RTD Park-n-Ride along Ohio. Time pedestrian signal to coincide with northbound Broadway at Kentucky.
• Add an on-street bike lane along Ohio Avenue.
• Area between northbound Broadway and northbound off-ramp, needs to be sized to account for tandems and bikes with wagons(i.e. a larger refuge).

System Alternative 2

Presented Alternative:
Bicycle/Pedestrian movement would be from the north side of Ohio to the east side of Lincoln via the existing stoplight, across Lincoln, along the north side of the one-way couplet, across Broadway and across the Ohio RTD entrance.

Comments

• Area between northbound Lincoln and northbound off ramp need to provide adequate refuge.
• Bike/Ped crossing at Lincoln and the off-ramp is problematic because of the traffic signal cycles. Bike/Peds can’t cross the street with one move.
• Break Lincoln/off-ramp signals. Could combine northbound Broadway to Lincoln with southbound Broadway as one signal.
• Consider an exclusive phase to cross both
• Straighten access from Ohio to RTD access

System Alternative 3

Presented Alternative:
Bicycle/Pedestrian movement would be from north side of Ohio across Lincoln with cul-de-sac, across off-ramp traffic to eastside of Lincoln one-way pair, across Lincoln to the eastside of Broadway, and across Broadway to RTD Park -n- Ride. Additional east/west access along Exposition to north and light rail station.

Comments

• Similar to existing
• Area between northbound Lincoln and northbound off ramp needs to provide adequate refuge.
• Integrate pedestrian signal with northbound Broadway at Kentucky.
• Move crossing north on Lincoln one-way pair.

Alameda/Santa Fe /Kalamath - System Alternative 1, 2, & 3

Presented Alternative:
Bicycle/Pedestrian movement from Cherokee on the north side of Alameda across Santa Fe, Kalamath, I-25 on/off ramps, and Lipan Street Bicycle/Pedestrian movement on the south side of Alameda across Lipan, South Platte River Drive, Kalamath, and Santa Fe turning south on the Westside of Kalamath.

Comments

• Accommodate wheelchair use along Alameda Avenue.
• Include barrier between sidewalk and Alameda between Cherokee and Santa Fe for safety/comfort
• Provide a 5ft buffer between street and 10ft trail
• At grade crossings at Kalamath and Santa Fe are difficult.
• Provide a right turn lane from Alameda to northbound Santa Fe to allow vehicles to yield to pedestrians/bicycles crossing Santa Fe.
• Extend Bike/Pedestrian facilities on both sides of Alameda to Cherokee.
• Bike facilities on Alameda could go away if the Bayaud crossing of I-25 is provided.

Bayaud Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge
System Alternative 1 – Option 1

Presented Alternative:
Bicycle/Pedestrian bridge extends from the south side of Bayaud across the grade separated Santa Fe, Consolidated Mainline (CML) railroad tracks, grade separated Kalamath, I-25 and the South Platte River to South Platte River Drive to connect with the South Platte River Trail.

Comments

• Construct this structure first. Provide a Bike/Pedestrian detour during construction of Alameda and the grade separation
• Widen structure to allow for banking of snow. This is the preferred bridge alternative by CWG volunteers.
• Provide a gentler curve on west side of South Platte River.
• West side drop down into Valverde Park
• Bridge provides an opportunity for enhanced visual aesthetics
• Look at vacating S. Platte River Drive and extend the park to the river. Would require a rerouting of the truck route and conversation with city parks.
• Narrow Bayaud to 2 lanes between Santa Fe and the Railroad to accommodate ramp and minimize impacts to ROW.

System Alternative 1 – Option 2

Presented Alternative:
Bicycle/Pedestrian movement follows south side of Bayaud Avenue at grade across Santa Fe winds along Kalamath underneath CML and crosses I-25 and South Platte River on a bridge.

Comments

• Longest, circuitous route
• 4.1 grade does not achieve a 30 mph design.
• This alternative has the most grade transition
• Not Desirable by CWG

System Alternative 2

Presented Alternative:
Bicycle /Pedestrian movement on south side of Bayaud at grade follows Santa Fe grade separation, I-25 and South Platte River on a Bridge.

Comments

• 4 to 4 ½ % grades
• Prefer over System Alternative 1-Option 2 but do not like as much as System Alternative 1-Option1.
• Most direct connection at street between Kalamath and Santa Fe, trail and Bayaud
• Would not be independent of construction of Kalamath/Santa Fe

System Alternative 3

Presented Alternative:
Bicycle/Pedestrian movement on south side of Bayaud Avenue at grade crosses combined Santa Fe/Kalamath grade separation goes underneath CML in a tunnel and crosses I-25 and South Platte River on a bridge.

Comments

• Underpasses are not preferred due to safety concerns