Overview
In 1995, the City and County of Denver completed the Federal Boulevard Corridor Plan which identified potential roadway improvements for Federal Boulevard that would enhance the image and improve the safety and efficiency of the corridor for residents and visitors. As a follow-up to the Corridor Plan, this study has been initiated to:
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Identify the primary transportation issues in the corridor, which based on preliminary analysis include:
- Reduce higher than normal accident rates
- Correct substandard lane widths
- Improve deteriorated sidewalk conditions
- Improve poor pavement conditions
- Consider improvements to reduce traffic back-ups at bus stops
- Improve parking conflicts with Federal Blvd.
- Consider adding a center median
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Develop and evaluate a series of
alternatives
that address these issues; and
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Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to determine the effects the alternatives would have on the corridor’s businesses, residents, and commuters.
Blueprint Denver
The
2002
Blueprint Denver: An Integrated Land use and Transportation Plan
identified the South Federal Blvd. Commercial Corridor as an Area of Change. Areas of Change are parts of the city where new growth or redevelopment can best be accomplished because of transportation choices and opportunities for mixed-use development. Channeling growth to older industrial areas, districts close to downtown, major arterial corridors, historical trolley corridors or existing and planned light rail stops will benefit the City as a whole.
The area south of Colfax Avenue received this designation because of its vibrancy as an ethnic corridor. The area is described as a high-traffic corridor that serves as a non-freeway, north-south route for the west side of Denver. However, due to the width of the travelway and the traffic volumes, the parcels fronting Federal Blvd. are not appropriate for pedestrian shopping uses. The plan recommends emphasizing corridor redevelopment that supports transit so that pedestrian and consumers are protected from the negative impacts of high traffic.
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Study Area
The study area for the Federal Blvd. Environmental Assessment (EA) extends roughly 500 feet east and west of the centerline of Federal Blvd. and is bounded by West Alameda Avenue on the south, West Fifth Avenue on the north, South Hazel Court on the west, and South Decatur Street on the east.
Currently the Federal Blvd. corridor has the following characteristics:
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Two northbound travel lanes
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Three southbound travel lanes
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Continuous center turn lane
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Lane widths vary between 8 to 10 feet
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Heavily-used transit corridor
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Primarily retail establishments located along corridor
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Surrounding neighborhoods are predominantly Hispanic and Asian
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Team Collaboration
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), in association with the City and County of Denver , is conducting the Federal Blvd. Environmental Assessment. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the lead agency responsible for reviewing and approving the Environmental Assessment for this project.
Parsons Brinckerhoff is the consultant firm contracted to conduct and prepare the Environmental Assessment, technical studies and carry out the public involvement program.
Projects
