Denver Approves Grade-Separated Pedestrian Bridge Near Broadway Station

Strategic Insights -

The Public Utilities Commission of Colorado has issued a decision granting a motion to amend an application filed by the Broadway Station Metropolitan District No. 1 (District) to construct a new grade-separated pedestrian and bicycle crossing over three railroad tracks near the intersection of Tennessee St. and Acoma Street in Denver. The proposed bridge will provide a safe point of crossing for pedestrians and bicycles, increasing accessibility to public transportation at the nearby RTD Broadway station. The Commission found that good cause exists to approve the District's final design plans, citing public safety and necessity as the primary reasons.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Broadway Station Metropolitan District No. 1 (District) has been granted permission to construct a new grade-separated pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR), the BNSF Railway Company (BNSF), and the Regional Transportation District (RTD) tracks near the intersection of Tennessee St. and Acoma Street in Denver.
  • The proposed bridge is designed to clear span the 220' railroad corridor and will provide a minimum of 27'-10 7/8" of vertical clearance and 22'-3 3/8" of horizontal clearance from the centerline of tracks to the piers of the structure.
  • The pedestrian pathway will be a minimum of 13'-1" wide, with stairs and elevators on both sides of the bridge structure to provide access to the bridge.
  • Fencing and glass protection will be provided for the bridge structure above the railroad corridor.
  • The District estimates pedestrian use by 2025 of 920 to 1,500 per day and bicycles of 400 per day, with increases of 1,500 to 2,030 pedestrians per day and 590 bicycles per day.
  • The cost of the entire project is estimated at $9,978,382, paid from public financing through tax-exempt municipal bonds.
  • The District has estimated that a total of 144 trains per day will use the corridor at the location of the proposed grade separation, with freight trains traveling at a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour (MPH) and RTD light rail trains traveling at a maximum speed of 55 MPH.
  • The Commission retains jurisdiction to enter further decisions as necessary.

Statistics:

  • Estimated pedestrian use by 2025: 920 to 1,500 per day (also includes estimates of 1,500 to 2,030 pedestrians per day by 2025)
  • Estimated bicycle use by 2025: 400 per day (also includes estimates of 590 bicycles per day by 2025)
  • Total trains per day: 144
  • Maximum speed of freight trains: 30 miles per hour (MPH)
  • Maximum speed of RTD light rail trains: 55 miles per hour (MPH)
  • Cost of the entire project: $9,978,382
  • Length of the structure: 411'-5 3/4"
  • Vertical clearance: 27'-10 7/8"
  • Horizontal clearance: 22'-3 3/8"

Sources:

  • Decision No. C22-0646 by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado
  • Rules Regulating Railroads, Rail Fixed Guideways, Transportation by Rail, and Rail Crossings, 4 Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR) 723-7
  • Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure, 4 CCR 723-1