Globeville Levee Improvements

The City and Mile High Flood District are moving forward with an engineering design and construction project to upgrade the existing levee and flood control system along the west bank of the South Platte River called the Globeville Levee Improvements.

The Improvements will extend from about 31st Street to Franklin Street and will be broken into phases for design and construction. The improvements generally include raising the existing earthen embankment levee and floodwalls one to three feet to meet FEMA requirements for certification of 44 CFR 65.10.

CONSTRUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT - March 2025

South Platte River Trail detour open until Fall 2025. Beginning March 17, pedestrians and bikers using the South Platte River Trail will be directed off the trail to a temporary detour on Washington Street from 49th Avenue to 46th Avenue. The trail detour will remain in place until early Fall 2025.

Click here to see the latest trail detours.

CONSTRUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT - February 2025

Expect delays on Washington Street between 46th and 50th Avenues. Weather permitting, construction crews will begin removing the median on Washington Street between 46th and 47th. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic. Crews will also begin installing the bike and pedestrian detour from the South Platte River Trail, which will require traffic shifts on Washington Street. Residents should expect ongoing traffic shifts on Washington Street through the summer of 2025.

More information:

Construction Announcement - December 2024

The City and County of Denver, along with its contractor, began construction of the Globeville Levee Improvements Phase 2. This project will upgrade the existing levee and flood control system along the west bank of the South Platte River by raising the existing earthen embankment levee and floodwalls to meet FEMA requirements. Learn more about the South Platte River Trail Improvement Plan here.

Construction begins in December and will last through May 2025. During construction, 48th Avenue between Washington and Emerson, and Clarkson St and Emerson St between 48th and 49th Avenue will be closed. Local access will be provided for residents and businesses. The South Platte River Trail will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists, with a detour onto Washington Street. RTD will temporarily relocate the northbound bus stop #17169 at Washington St and 47th Ave to the south side of the intersection near Den-Col Supply. All closures remain in effect until May 2025. Phase 3 Globeville Levee construction between 38th Street and 31st Street will follow completion of Phase 2.

Project Study Area

Globeville Levee Improvements project map

Globeville Levee Project Study Area (Full Size PDF)(PDF, 15MB)

Project Schedule

  • Phase 1 (from 50th Ave to Franklin Street) – Construction is complete. Phase 1 is part of the 52nd and Emerson Water Quality Project (Heron Pond Open Space and Carpio Sanguinette Park) and was built concurrently with the 51st Avenue Bridge Project.
  • Phase 2 (from 50th Avenue to 38th Street) – Construction begins January 2025.
  • Phase 3 (from 38th Street to 31st Street) – Final design is expected to follow completion of Phase 2.

Community Meetings

Community Meeting #2
August 27, 2024 at Globeville Center

 

Community Meeting #1
April 27, 2023 at Globeville Center

 

Project Status

Phase 1 – Construction

Stormwater infrastructure improvements in Heron Pond Open Space/Carpio Sanguinette Park are complete, but the park will remain closed until 2026 for construction of park improvements, including a regional playground and pavilion, pump track, trails, and landscaping. The pedestrian and bicycle connections to the regional S. Platte River Trail will be open during the next phase of park construction.

WQ - Heron Pond Project

Phase 2 – Construction

Construction between 50th Avenue and 38th Avenue begins October 2024.

Phase 3 – Design

Final design is expected to follow completion of Phase 2.

Contact

Kelly Crum, P.E., Engineer
Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
Kelly.Crum@denvergov.org

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