Federal Boulevard Improvements

The Federal Boulevard Corridor Plan- Opportunities and Implementation Report serves as a guiding document for the City of Denver, Colorado Department of Transportation, RTD and the Federal Boulevard Stakeholders as they pursue future projects to improve safety and access of a multimodal transportation network, urban design character and economic development opportunities along Federal Boulevard into the future.

Read the Federal Boulevard Corridor Plan - Opportunities And Implementation Report(PDF, 17MB)

There are two corridor-wide transit projects on Federal Blvd:

• Federal Transit Speed and Reliability Improvements (2021-2022)
• Denver Moves: Federal Transit Study (2020-2021)

The Federal Transit Speed and Reliability Improvements project will provide near-term transit capital improvements with design through 2022 and construction beginning in 2023 while the Denver Moves: Federal Transit Study provides an alternatives analysis for the future vision of transit along Federal Blvd.

Learn more about Federal Boulevard Transit Projects

The North Federal Blvd Pedestrian Improvements Project will design pedestrian improvements along Federal Blvd from 23rd to 27th Avenues, as well as 25th Ave between Federal Blvd and Elliot St. Improvements include:

• Curb ramps
• Pedestrian crossing signals
• Sidewalk expansions
• Green space
• Gathering areas
• Other enhancements that prioritize a safer and more comfortable experience for you

Learn more about North Federal Boulevard Pedestrian Improvements Project

Lead by the City and County of Denver, the goal of the Transformation Project is to gain an understanding of technical factors, including the interchange configuration, improving the transportation network for all users, stormwater and park requirements and possibilities, and evaluate the scenarios that best connect to the vision, goals, recommendations and strategies from previous citywide and area specific plans.

The project is nearing completion with planning study efforts that will result in illustrative scenarios that take into account the community needs, meets requirements for stormwater management and parks and recreation, and supports the City’s different land use, affordable housing, accessible multimodal transportation network, and other priorities.

Learn more about the Colfax & Federal Interchange Transformation Project

DOTI’s Vision Zero team is designing and installing a variety of quick-build projects along the corridor aimed to address safety concerns identified in the 2017 Federal Blvd Corridor Plan. The projects will complete design the Summer 2021 with expected installation of Winter 2022.

Location in the northern segment are:

• 50^th Ave to 52^nd Ave. – Travel Lane Rebalancing

In an effort to develop a safe and comfortable bicycle transportation network, DOTI is installing bicycle detection cameras at several intersections along Federal Boulevard to ease the movement of bicyclist through the intersection. The technology is designed to detect the presence of a bicyclist, without the bicyclist having to dismount to push the pedestrian button, or rely on a car or pedestrian to trigger the traffic light. Bicycle detection cameras locations are being installed in conjunction with our Denver Moves: Bicycles Program. Locations in the northern segment are:

• 29^th Ave. and Federal Blvd.
• 35^th Ave. and Federal Blvd.
• 50^th Ave. and Federal Blvd.

DOTI and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and DOTI will be replacing antiquated traffic signal equipment at several intersections along the corridor. The project will replace traffic signal poles and cabinet boxes.  All intersections will have pedestrian features with pedestrian signal heads, push buttons and countdown timers. In addition, the project will also rebuild the intersection corners and install new curb ramps.  After installation, traffic engineers will analyze crossing times and establishing half cycle lengths at intersections to provide a better pedestrian walk phase. This project is being coordinated with Federal’s Transit Speed and Reliability in order to integrate Transit Signal Priority (TSP) into the signal management system.

Locations in the northern segment are:

• 42nd and Federal Blvd. (CDOT)
• 41st and Federal Blvd. (CDOT)
• 38th Ave. and Federal Blvd. (DOTI)
• Howard Ave. and Federal Blvd (CDOT) 

Design is already underway for both DOTI’s and CDOT’s traffic signal reconstruction projects, with DOTI’s signal projects expected construction to begin in Fall 2022 and CDOT’s in Summer 2023.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is testing out pedestrian solar lights at key locations of the corridor. Locations were selected based on pedestrian crossing activity as well connectivity needs to local destinations such as parks, businesses, and transit stops. The pedestrian lights a photo sensitive and pedestrian activated, no buttons to push. This low-cost technology will help improve nighttime pedestrian visibility for drivers, making the pedestrian crossing experience a safer one.

Pilot Locations in the northern segment are:

• 47^th Ave. and Federal Blvd.
• 37^th Ave. and Federal Blvd.
• 25^th Ave. and Federal Blvd.

Watch CDOT’s Pilot Project video

DOTI and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) have partnered to design and construct continuous curbed medians in the center of roadway, with openings at each intersection. This is known as a raised median. There will be pedestrian crossings at each intersection along with an additional crosswalk access points. Work will include median installation, signing and striping.

Locations in the northern segment are:

• I-70 to 52^nd Ave.
• 33^rd Ave. to 29^th Ave.

This project will improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians along this corridor. The addition of the raised median helps to reduce car crashes, reduce vehicle speeds and decrease the rate and severity of crashes.

This project is part of Denver’s Vision Zero Action Plan and CDOT’s Safer Main Streets program.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be conducting two resurfacing efforts on Federal Blvd.

SOUTH FEDERAL GREEN BOULEVARD

DOTI and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) have partnered to design and construct green infrastructure planters on Federal Boulevard between West Alameda Avenue and West Tennessee Avenue. The streetside stormwater facilities seek improve the quality of stormwater and roadway runoff before it enters the stormwater system, ultimately making its way to the South Platte River. The improvements will primarily be constructed in the tree lawns between the curb and gutter.

Additional benefits will include:

• Creating safer environments for pedestrians and transit users
• Reducing urban heat Island effects
• Providing tree canopy coverage
• Improving air quality

The design phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2022 and construction is tentatively scheduled to begin late-2022.

Learn more about the South Federal Green Boulevard

Xcel Energy will be undergrounding existing old-fashioned utility poles and overhead wires on Federal Blvd between Alameda Ave. and Louisiana Ave. The project consists of the replacement of 35 existing lighting and utility poles with LED acorn light fixtures and the installation of an additional 25 light poles. The new lighting system is designed to eliminate the overhead wiring visible along Federal Blvd., as the new lights will be powered by underground conduit.

The design phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2022 and construction is tentatively scheduled to begin late-2022 in coordination with DOTI’s South Federal Green Boulevard project.

DOTI is currently working to address essential missing links in its sidewalk network along Federal Blvd. to help people get where they want to go more safely and easily. Sidewalk gaps Locations in the southern segment are:

• S. Federal Blvd. between W. Dartmouth and W. Amherst Avenues
• S. Federal Blvd. between E. Yale and E. Vassar Avenues
• S. Federal Blvd. between E. Iliff and E. Warren Avenues

Learn more about the DOTI’s New Sidewalk Construction Program

DOTI and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) have partnered to design and construct continuous curbed medians in the center of roadway, with openings at each intersection. This is known as a raised median. There will be pedestrian crossings at each intersection along with an additional crosswalk access points. Work will include median installation, signing and striping.

Locations in the southern segment are:

• Harvard Ave. to Floyd Ave.

This project will improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians along this corridor. The addition of the raised median helps to reduce car crashes, reduce vehicle speeds and decrease the rate and severity of crashes.  

This project is part of Denver’s Vision Zero Action Plan and CDOT’s Safer Main Streets program.  Design is underway for all median gap segments, with expected construction to begin in Spring 2023.

DOTI’s Vision Zero team is designing and installing a variety of quick-build projects along the corridor aimed to address safety concerns identified in the 2017 Federal Blvd Corridor Plan. The projects will complete design the Summer 2021 with expected installation of Winter 2022.

Location in the south segment are:

• Southbound at Alameda Ave. – Removal of the acceleration lane by Far East Center
• Northbound at Louisiana Ave. – Travel lane rebalancing north of the intersection
• Northbound at Jewell Ave. - Removal of the acceleration lane
• Northbound at Evans Ave. - Removal of the acceleration lane
• Northbound at Iliff Ave. - Removal of the acceleration lane
• Northbound at Harvard Ave. - Removal of the acceleration lane

In an effort to develop a safe and comfortable bicycle transportation network, DOTI is installing bicycle detection cameras at several intersections along Federal Boulevard to ease the movement of bicyclist through the intersection. The technology is designed to detect the presence of a bicyclist, without the bicyclist having to dismount to push the pedestrian button, or rely on a car or pedestrian to trigger the traffic light. Bicycle detection cameras locations are being installed in conjunction with our Denver Moves: Bicycles Program. Locations in the northern segment are:

• 1^st Ave. and Federal Blvd.
• Kentucky Ave. and Federal Blvd.
• Florida Ave. and Federal Blvd.

DOTI and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be replacing antiquated traffic signal equipment at several intersections along the corridor. The project will replace traffic signal poles and cabinet boxes.  All intersections will have pedestrian features with pedestrian signal heads, push buttons and countdown timers. In addition, the project will also rebuild the intersection corners and install new curb ramps.  After installation, traffic engineers will analyze crossing times and establishing half cycle lengths at intersections to provide a better pedestrian walk phase. This project is being coordinated with Federal’s Transit Speed and Reliability in order to integrate Transit Signal Priority (TSP) into the signal management system.

Locations in the southern segment are:

• Bayaud Ave. and Federal Blvd. - HAWK (CDOT)
• Virginia Ave. and Federal Blvd. (DOTI)
• Exposition Ave. and Federal Blvd. (DOTI)
• Kentucky Ave. and Federal Blvd. (DOTI)
• Tennessee Ave. and Federal Blvd. - HAWK (CDOT)
• Mississippi Ave. and Federal Blvd. (DOTI)
• Louisiana Ave. and Federal Blvd. (CDOT)
• Florida Ave. and Federal Blvd. (CDOT)
• Iliff Ave. and Federal Blvd. (DOTI)
• Jewell Ave. and Federal Blvd. (DOTI)
• Harvard Ave. and Federal Blvd. - HAWK (CDOT)
• Amherst Ave. and Federal Blvd. – HAWK (DOTI)

Design is already underway for both DOTI’s and CDOT’s traffic signal reconstruction projects, with DOTI’s signal projects expected construction to begin in Fall 2022 and CDOT’s in Summer 2023.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be resurfacing Federal Blvd. from Alameda Ave. to Louisiana Ave. The project – scheduled to begin in the Summer 2023 – will improve driving conditions and safety along this three-mile stretch including asphalt removal, asphalt paving, cleaning inlets, culverts, roadway signing and re-striping.