Between 2018 and 2022, Colorado Boulevard, a corridor now slated for major transit upgrades, saw 117 fatal or serious crashes, marking it as a high-injury network area. The 117 fatal or serious crashes demand urgent safety improvements along the crucial corridor, which spans from I-70 to Southmoor Station.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is advancing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plan to address these critical safety and congestion issues. However, the City of Glendale presents a significant hurdle to CDOT's Colorado Boulevard BRT plan, according to KUSA. Glendale's municipal opposition threatens to complicate the project's implementation and timeline.
Based on the early political resistance and the project's long timeline, the Colorado Boulevard BRT plan is likely to face substantial modifications and potential delays before its anticipated 2027-2030 construction start. The early political resistance and long timeline could dilute its core safety and efficiency benefits before ground is even broken. The initiative directly responds to critical safety and environmental issues on Colorado Boulevard, making public input vital for its effective design, as stated by the Denver Gazette.
What the BRT Plan Entails
CDOT is exploring plans to implement Bus Rapid Transit on Colorado Boulevard, aiming to enhance public transportation. Three distinct options are under consideration for the Colorado Boulevard BRT, as detailed by Westword. Three distinct options include side-running bus lanes, a hybrid north/south lane configuration, or a controversial option of no dedicated bus lanes, instead relying on increased frequency and improved vehicles.
The inclusion of "no bus lanes" as a serious consideration, despite the corridor's high-injury designation, suggests political expediency could overshadow urgent safety and efficiency goals. While these changes aim to enhance transit, they will only offer a viable alternative to car travel if dedicated infrastructure is ultimately implemented.
