How would you feel walking through this?
The Federal and Colfax Cloverleaf had long been recognized as archaic infrastructure. While the cloverleaf continues to fulfill a needed vehicular traffic function, the recently completed Conditions Survey of the Partnership found the cloverleaf had limited pedestrian and cycling access and what does exist, is extremely unsafe. Having this unsafe condition one block north of the new light rail station scheduled to open at W. Howard Pl. in early 2013 is plain unacceptable.
The Partnership has long ago come to the conclusion the cloverleaf needs to be replaced with a more efficient and safer mechanism for moving traffic and all pedestrian modes of travel. Utilizing less physical space is also important. Apparently, the City and County of Denver has also come to a similar conclusion.
When a recent story about the top five most hazardous metro area bridges broke indicating the Federal bridge over Colfax was slated for replacement, the Partnership initially inquired about the fiscal wisdom of replacing the bridge making up such a key aspect of the archaic cloverleaf. Checking in with Denver Public Works uncovered similar city concerns. In fact, Public Works had commissioned a private traffic engineering firm to recommend whether an at-grade (ground level) intersection could work for Federal and Colfax. The answer was “no”, primarily due to additional traffic loads added to the intersection during special events at Invesco Field at Mile High. However, further investigation by Public Works indicated a new interchange design called a “tight diamond”, would be much more accessible, safer and require less “footprint” than the existing cloverleaf. Importantly, a diamond interchange could be designed and implemented utilizing an existing Federal bridge.
A second indication of Denver’s interest in replacing the cloverleaf is evidenced by a recent grant application submitted to HUD, seeking $150,000 for a Federal and Colfax “infill” planning and design study. The study would examine and recommend a suitable approach for the intersection and also recommend on the surrounding area, some of it left vacant should another more efficient approach be implemented. In such a case, surrounding communities, private properties and street networks would be affected. The Partnership gladly provided Denver a support letter for the grant application. If rewarded, the study process begins in 2011 and completes in 2012. Funding and completing the proposed study is paramount because acquiring funding to replace the cloverleaf isn’t possible without such a study.
The Partnership is enthusiastic about these recent developments! We will work diligently in concert with Denver and local communities to ensure a suitable replacement for the cloverleaf is realized with associated benefits of additional pedestrian access, community and economic development.
