30th and Colorado Underpass
Project Update
The 30th & Colorado Underpass project is in the advanced preparation stage, with the team working diligently to ensure the groundwork is laid for a successful project groundbreaking. In 2019, utility relocations were completed by such providers such as Xcel and CenturyLink. Construction will begin on March 1, 2021 and last for approximately 18 months.
To stay up-to-date on the project, be sure to sign up for the project email list.
Public Meeting Materials
Thanks to all who attended the Virtual Info Session on Feb. 17! Meeting materials, including the recording and PPT slides can be found below.
Project Background
The 30th & Colorado Bike and Pedestrian Underpass project will provide important safety, accessibility, mobility and drainage improvements to the intersection of 30th Street and Colorado Avenue. The project area is an important piece of the 30th & Colorado travel corridor for the Boulder community and the University of Colorado Boulder (CU). The existing intersection and at-grade crossings support high frequency transit service, provide important commuting connections for vehicle travel and connect the CU Boulder main and east campuses.
Today, the Average Daily Traffic through the project intersection ranges from 9,000 to almost 10,000 vehicles on Colorado Avenue and just over 21,000 vehicles on 30th Street. Each day, about 1,450 pedestrians and bicyclists (combined) pass through the 30th & Colorado intersection and more than 1,250 riders board and exit RTD and CU buses using the four stops at this intersection.
The Safe Streets Report (2016) found the 30th & Colorado intersection to be a top collision location within the city's street network, with 86 collisions occurring between 2012-2016, one involving a pedestrian and 18 involving a bicyclist. Additionally, the existing on-street bicycle facilities contribute to a high level of stress for some users, leading some bicyclists to ride on the sidewalks to navigate to and through this intersection. Bikes on sidewalks and in crosswalks moving against vehicle travel were indicated as a bicycle collision trend in the Safe Streets Report.
Looking to the future, the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan and the University of Colorado East Campus Master Plan forecast growth in the project area, which is expected to result in more people traveling through this intersection. The 30th & Colorado Underpass project will eliminate a barrier for university and community travel needs in this changing landscape.
Project Scope
The 30th & Colorado Underpass project will:
- Provide a safer, more accessible and more efficient crossing of 30th & Colorado for those traveling through the intersection on a typical day:
- 30,000 vehicles
- 1,450 pedestrians and bicyclists, and
- 1,250 transit riders
- Support the current and anticipated increased travel between CU's main and east campuses
- Implement the 30th & Colorado Corridors Study final design options
Project Improvements
- Construct two pedestrian and bicycle underpasses at 30th Street and Colorado Avenue
- Construct a protected intersection
- Implement the 30th & Colorado Corridors Study preferred alignments at the intersection
- Connect to existing sidewalks, bike lanes and multi-use paths
- Reconstruct or relocate existing transit stops
- Install underpass lighting, landscaping, art and other urban design features
Funding
The total project cost is estimated at $15.9 million, with $11.15 million to be secured through a combination of city and CU funds and $4.75 million in federal Transportation Improvements Program (TIP) funds approved by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) and administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Timeline
The project was advertised for a construction bid in late 2020. Construction is anticipated to begin on March 1, 2021. Construction duration is estimated to be about 18 months, concluding in Fall 2022.
Feedback has been received through the public process and will be incorporated into the project design, where feasible.
- Capital Improvements Project Open House, Mar. 6, 2019
- Review the information presented here
- Review the information presented here
- Intersection Improvements Open House, Oct. 29, 2018.
- Review information presented at the open house.
- Read a summary of the comments received at the open house and through the online comment form.
- Read a summary of the comments
- Review information presented at the open house.
- University of Colorado Design Review Board, July 12, 2018
- Review the information presented here
- Review the information presented here
- Transportation Advisory Board, July 9, 2018
- Review the information presented here
- Review the information presented here
- Center for People with Disabilities, May 21, 2018
- Community Cycles Advocacy Committee, May 14, 2018
- National Federation of the Blind, Boulder Chapter, May 12, 2018
- BeHeard Boulder, May 3, 2018 to June 1, 2018
- 30th & Colorado Corridors Study Open House, May 3, 2018
- University of Colorado, Boulder Main and East Campus Outreach, review the information presented at this event here ;
- Read a summary of the comments received here
- Sustainability Summit, CU Boulder, April 25, 2018
- University of Colorado Engineering Council finals week tabling event, CU Boulder East Campus, May 1, 2018
- Read a summary of the comments received here
- 30th & Colorado Corridors Study Open House, Feb. 7, 2018
- 30th & Colorado Corridors Study Open House, Sept. 25, 2017.
Contact
Jenny Godwin, City Transportation Planner, at [email protected] or by calling 303-441-4934.