October 18, 2024
This is a 176 page document. The Executive Summary is below. The document is in PDF format which can be downloaded. Complete document TPO-GF-ALAMEDA FINAL REPORT-EN-ACC-24-09-15-V1 In general, this document indicates Alameda Ave will have Bus Rapid Transit lanes which may eliminate our parkway medians long term in order to accommodate Bus Rapid Transit/BRT. However; because Alameda is not a straight shot where it deviates at Colorado Blvd.; it will need further input and study before it would reach this part of Denver.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Alameda Avenue is a key east-west link through the core of the Denver metro area, connecting four cities and numerous neighborhoods, community centers, and regional destinations. It supports mobility and access for people walking, biking, using transit, and driving, with regional multimodal connections including Wadsworth Boulevard, Federal Boulevard, I-25, Alameda Station, Colorado Boulevard, Havana Street, I-225, Aurora Metro Center Station, and several regional trails.
As one of the most consistent east-west travel corridors in the region, Alameda Avenue is a particularly critical transit connection. Past regional planning has identified it as a priority corridor for bus rapid transit (BRT). The Denver Regional Council of Governments, in partnership with the cities of Lakewood, Glendale, and Aurora; the City and County of Denver; the Regional Transportation District (RTD); and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), conducted the Alameda Avenue Corridor Planning Study to 1) further plans for Alameda Avenue BRT and 2) more holistically assess multimodal needs along the corridor and develop recommendations for improvement. A comprehensive process of visioning and goal setting, community engagement, technical analysis, and concept development & evaluation was followed to provide this plan’s vision of an enhanced Alameda Avenue corridor for everyone.
Corridor vision
The Alameda corridor unites its communities while preserving their character, emphasizes transit as a primary mode, and above all supports safe and comfortable mobility for everyone.
Corridor goals
Six core goals form the framework for the Alameda Avenue Corridor Planning Study, providing a lens through which to both assess conditions along the corridor and vet potential improvement ideas. These goals were developed through engaging key stakeholders along the corridor.
Connectivity: Alameda provides quality connections to community destinations and integrates seamlessly with the regional transit and active transportation networks.
Safety: Alameda allows for safe travel with no/minimal risk of injury or fatality.
Improved Transit: Alameda is a bus rapid transit corridor with frequent, reliable service, enhanced stations, and efficient transit connections.
Accessibility: Alameda is accessible for everyone to travel along and across, regardless of age, race, income, gender, or mobility needs.
Mobility: Alameda moves people reliably, efficiently, and sustainably.
Vibrancy: Alameda is a place that celebrates and supports equitable investment in its communities, where everyone comes together and thrives.
Community engagement
Community engagement was critical to the planning process. The concerns and opinions of those who use Alameda Avenue regularly formed a basis for developing recommendations. Two primary phases of engagement helped diagnose the corridor’s issues and vet potential improvement options. The engagement approach included a regularly updated project webpage, surveys, an online commenting map, focus groups, neighborhood organization meetings, outreach through digital and analog outlets, and pop-up events. Altogether, more than 500 people provided input through in-person discussions, surveys, and other engagement opportunities. The final online survey demonstrated widespread support for this study’s recommendations for significant multimodal improvements to the corridor and helped refine and assess community support for the plans various recommendations.
Major recommendations
Alameda Avenue is a corridor with both considerable challenges and ample potential. Significant infrastructure investments are necessary to address the challenges and achieve its potential. While many project recommendations resulting from this planning process are localized and smaller-scale in nature, corridor-wide transformation will ultimately be necessary to achieve the study vision. Major recommendations for Alameda Avenue in support of the vision include:
Corridor-wide significant transit upgrades including bus rapid transit (BRT) through a combination of dedicated bus lanes where feasible, transit speed and reliability enhancements at key intersections, high-quality stations with upgraded amenities for transit users, high-frequency service, and other applicable elements of BRT.
Corridor-wide speed control measures including narrowing of excessive lane widths, implementation of additional raised medians and evaluation of reduced speed limits.
Pedestrian realm improvements including replacement of all attached and/or narrow sidewalk segments (5’ or less) along the corridor with wider, detached sidewalk.
Substantial safety improvements at all major intersections along the corridor, including crosswalk and curb ramp enhancements, median refuge islands, elimination of turn lanes that are not operationally necessary, and
Additional segment specific safety improvements such as lane repurposing where feasible.
Improvements to the bike and pedestrian networks including implementation of additional designated north-south bicycle and pedestrian crossing points with enhanced crossing treatments.
Next steps
The Alameda Avenue Corridor Planning Study is a crucial step in establishing a cohesive, comprehensive vision for the future of the corridor and identifying actions to achieve it. From here, key next steps to maintain momentum toward implementation include continuing discussions among the partner agencies, pursuing funding, working through more detailed analysis and design, and planning and project development activities to implement bus rapid transit.