Federal Boulevard, one of the most dangerous streets in the city, is getting pedestrian infrastructure improvements between 23rd and 27th Avenues. The construction will begin next week and run through the fall of 2024.
The project will upgrade pedestrian ramps; build concrete curb extensions to shorten crosswalk distances and slow down cars; add pedestrian crosswalk signals; and upgrade drainage to protect against flooding.
According to the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, another goal is to turn that section of the road "into a more pedestrian-friendly street with a narrowed and curved design to slow vehicle speeds... install green infrastructure on this block to provide water quality and natural plantings to beautify and cool the environment."
The additions include a number of traffic safety elements advocates have regularly asked for to improve Denver's streets, especially Federal. But the upgrades will not address some of the biggest issues along that road, including speeding, and the dangerous Federal and Alameda Ave. intersection.
It's funded through a state safe streets program and the voter-approved Elevate Denver bond program, which will spend $937 million on more than 460 transit improvement projects through 2027. The city wrapped up one of those projects last week, bringing pedestrian and cyclist improvements to the Larimer Street bridge.
Traffic in both directions will be pushed to the west side of the road starting Tuesday through Dec. 1. Parts of the sidewalk will be closed temporarily throughout the project.
