Denver begins reconstruction

of South Broadway corridor

Major project will create a “Better Broadway” by 2011 

(Denver)…Mayor John Hickenlooper, Councilman Chris Nevitt, Denver Public Works Manager Guillermo “Bill” Vidal and local merchants broke ground today to kick off reconstruction of the South Broadway corridor from Arizona Avenue to Yale Avenue.  Federal transportation grants and Better Denver infrastructure bond program funding will finance most of the $34.4 million facelift, which will be completed in three segments and conclude in 2011.  The first segment, Arizona Ave. to Iowa Ave., is scheduled to be complete in 2010.

“This project will create a Better Broadway for our businesses and our neighborhoods,” said Mayor John Hickenlooper. “It will also bring nearly 200 construction jobs to our community when we need them most. When reconstruction is complete, South Broadway will be safer for pedestrians and drivers, as well as visually appealing and thriving with economic activity.”

Construction on the second segment between Yale Ave. and Wesley Ave. is expected to begin later this year. Wesley Ave. to Iowa Ave. is the third segment with construction expected to begin in late 2010 or early 2011. In total, the reconstruction project spans 17 blocks of heavily traveled roadway serving hundreds of merchants.   

Noting that businesses along the corridor will remain open during reconstruction, District 7 City Councilman Chris Nevitt said, “the South Broadway business community is extremely excited about this project, both for the business it will bring and for the beautiful destination it will create for shoppers.” 

 Planned infrastructure improvements include:

·        New concrete pavement

·        Widening the roadway by five to six feet on each side

·        Enhancing safety and function of intersections

·        Installing medians, turn lanes, new traffic signals, utility upgrades, major drainage and storm sewer improvements, sidewalks & ADA ramps and new street lighting

·        Installations of underground utilities  

Planned streetscape improvements include:

·        Raised planting area

·        Colored, patterned concrete in the median

·        Irrigation system in the median

·        Tree plantings in medians and sidewalks 

“Denver Public Works is working closely with the contractors to ensure local businesses on Broadway stay healthy during construction, keeping parking access available and working in concentrated areas to minimize traffic impact,” said Bill Vidal, Deputy Mayor and Manager of Public Works. 

Businesses will be open throughout the construction process and will have discounts in August to celebrate the beginning of the long-awaited project. For more information on the discounts and project, please visit www.Denvergov.org/BetterBroadway.  

The Better Denver Bond program is a $550 million, voter-approved program that is improving the City’s existing infrastructure and adding critical new infrastructure to support and enhance Denver’s economic vitality and quality of life well into the future.  The program reaches roads, bridges, libraries, parks, hospitals, public safety and cultural facilities and other important public amenities. 

Better Denver encompasses –over 280 projects.  The City is accelerating as many of the projects as possible in order to preserve and create jobs, and stimulate the local economy. Over 50 projects are complete, more than 60 are in construction and numerous others are in design.  Many more will finish up this year and next, and nearly all will be completed by the end of 2011.