If you're like me, you've crossed Broadway from 21st Street because it's a direct walking and biking route between downtown and uptown, with the caveat that it's scary as hell. Despite the logical urge to cross at Broadway, it's a wide street with heavy and fast traffic, and -- until now -- no infrastructure to prioritize pedestrians and bicyclists, which Mayor Michael Hancock has made a stated priority of his administration.
Earlier this month, Denver Public Works changed that. Crews installed sidewalks, separated bike paths, painted crosswalks and signals for pedestrians and bicyclists that let people cross safely. Check it:
The streets department built the refuges on both sides of Broadway, along with signals to stop drivers when people cross. Crews repurposed street space formerly used by cars between 21st and Stout, meaning drivers can no longer use that space as a cut-through.
Bonus: The new bike path connects to the Stout and Champa street bike lanes. This project will, perhaps 15 years from now, be part of the 5280 Loop, a citywide path solely for biking and walking.
DPW also included "green infrastructure elements," spokeswoman Nancy Kuhn said. They include a plaza with tree trenches and Silva Cells, which help large trees grow below paved areas, and a water quality planter basin.
Enjoy these Kevin J. Beaty originals of the new streetscape.
