Alameda Lane Repurposing

• Maintain safety and access for drivers
• Reduce crashes along the corridor
• Enhance safety and comfort for pedestrians and bicyclists
• Support transit service throughout the corridor
• Support business access and activity

When DOTI studied this section of Alameda, we found more crashes (sideswipes, rear-end collisions, and turning-related crashes) than expected. These preventable crashes are largely due to the current lane setup, which has two travel lanes in each direction but no center turn lane.

In 2018, DOTI evaluated and implemented on Corona Street and, in 2020, completed “after” data collection and safety analysis on Alameda to determine appropriate next steps. This included a corridor-wide study of crash trends and hotspots along Alameda between Lincoln St and Franklin St, and an analysis of the safety and operational impacts of potential lane repurposing to enhance the safety of all users.

Based on DOTI's analysis, adding a center lane for left turning vehicles has the potential to significantly reduce crashes along the corridor. This improvement will convert a single westbound through lane into a shared center turn lane for eastbound and westbound left turning vehicles out of the path of through vehicles. Within the lane repurposing section, the project improvements have the potential to reduce crashes by 25% between Pearl and Franklin.

Additional improvements are planned at Grant and Pennsylvania, which have the potential significantly reduce crashes at those intersections.

The Alameda Lane Repurposing Project aims to improve safety and comfort for people walking, biking, and driving the Alameda Avenue corridor. The project was initially developed to address a rise in traffic crashes in recent years. 

After proposing a full lane repurposing in each direction, the City of Denver received both support and opposition from the community. While residents and businesses broadly agreed on the need for enhanced safety—especially for pedestrians and cyclists—concerns were raised about potential congestion, traffic diversion to nearby residential streets, and impacts on local business access.  

Taking this feedback into account, the project team has re-evaluated the lane repurposing project to balance neighborhood needs, business access, and safety goals. As a result, the City has updated the design from a full lane repurposing to a partial lane repurposing. 

The partial lane repurposing allows the project to: 

• Reduce congestion and queuing along Alameda 

• Limit diversion to side streets 

• Reduce crashes  

• Continue providing pedestrian safety and accessibility improvements

Based on the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s (DOTI) analysis, the impact to side streets will be minimal; no more than 5% of vehicles will reroute throughout the entire day.

Because some cars may shift to the Virginia and Downing intersection, DOTI is making safety upgrades to address past crash issues and improve how everyone moves through the area. The changes will help people walking, biking, and driving interact more safely. Improvements include adding sidewalk bulb-outs to make crossings shorter and adjusting signal timing to include features like “no right turn on red” and protected left turns.

DOTI helps plan and build multi-modal improvements to our roadways and neighborhoods to ensure that all modes of transportation are safe for all residents and visitors.

While Alameda may not have a history of many pedestrian and cycling crashes, DOTI heard consistently from residents and businesses along the corridor voicing frustrations over unsafe conditions for those attempting to cross Alameda. Specifically, DOTI heard from schools, crossing guards and families who either have attempted to cross Alameda or avoid crossing because of existing danger.

A bike lane is not, nor has ever been planned for this part of Alameda. 

Travel time along Alameda from Franklin St to Lincoln St is currently between 3 to 4 mins. With the safety improvements, travel times could increase by up to approximately 20 seconds.

• During construction impacts will be limited to westbound, where crews will have to restripe the center turn lane. DOTI does not anticipate business access to be blocked, but any impacts during construction will be communicated ahead of time.

• Post construction, there should be no significant impact for business access.