To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Bryan Weimer, Director, Public Works and Development
Prepared By:
prepared
James Katzer, Transportation Division Manager, Public Works and Development
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presenter
Presenter: James Katzer, Transportation Division Manager, Public Works and Development
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Subject:
title
11:00 AM *C21-02 Parker Road Multimodal, Safety, and Operational Improvements Analysis: Corridor Improvements Recommendations
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
Staff is holding this informational Study Session to update the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on the above referenced project following identification of recommended projects, prioritization, and potential timeframes for improvements along the Parker Road corridor between Mississippi and Hampden Avenues. Staff would like to give the BOCC an opportunity to provide feedback prior to finalizing the project documentation in a Project Report and Implementation Plan.
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Background and Discussion: In late 2022, Arapahoe County, with the City of Aurora and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), began developing a plan to improve mobility and safety along Parker Road from Mississippi to Hampden. This effort has considered all modes of travel, with a strong emphasis on improving travel conditions and safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders along and across the corridor.
The purpose of the recommended transportation improvements from this evaluation is to improve safety for all users, enhance multimodal connectivity, and improve the travel experience for people walking, bicycling, using mobility devices, and riding transit along or across Parker Road between Hampden Avenue and Mississippi Avenue. The transportation improvements will complement existing and planned community surroundings with design and operational context.
Analysis was conducted to better understand the existing and forecasted travel and land use conditions and needs in the area. Following concept development, two levels of alternatives evaluation were conducted. Fifty (50) location-specific improvement options were developed. Thirty six (36) options were recommended to move forward and were combined into 16 potential projects based on location, connected elements, manageable size, and logical construction project limits. These projects were then prioritized based on their ability to address the Project’s Purpose & Need and goals, and their timing and effectiveness considering ease of implementation and magnitude of cost. The outcome was six higher priority projects, five medium priority projects, and five projects of lesser priority, comparatively. Potential timeframes (short-term/less than five years, mid-term/five to ten years, and long-term/more than 10 years) have also been identified for each project with types of funding sources. Priority recommendations and potential timeframes for each project are listed below.
Higher Priority Projects
• Ulster Pedestrian Improvements (Short-term)
• Florida Improvements (Mid-term)
• Mexico Controlled Pedestrian Crossing (Short-term)
• Jewell Controlled Pedestrian Crossing (Short-term)
• Havana through Yale Improvements (Mid-term)
• Dartmouth/Cornell to Peoria Improvements (Mid-term)
Medium Priority Projects
• Shared Use Path - Mississippi to Peoria (Mid-term)
• Transit Improvements (Short-term)
• Mississippi Intersection Improvements (Short-term)
• Dartmouth and Cornell Bike Lanes (Short-term)
• Peoria Intersection Improvements (Mid-term)
Lesser Priority Projects
• Dayton to Iliff Improvements (Long-term)
• Northbound I-225 On Ramp Improvements (Long-term)
• Hampden Off Ramp Pedestrian Improvements (Mid-term)
• Dam and Vaughn Pedestrian Improvements (Short-term)
• Corridor EV Charging Stations (Mid-term)
Next steps include gathering feedback from the BOCC and other agency leaders, then finalizing project recommendations. A Project Report and Implementation Plan will be prepared to document the planning and decision-making process, as well as recommended projects with their priority and potential timeframes. This will be used as a guide by each agency to move toward project implementation. Corridor agencies will need to continue to seek funding sources and partnership opportunities, as appropriate to advance design and construct the recommended improvements.
Agency and Public Coordination
The project included collaboration with Arapahoe County Open Spaces, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and City of Aurora along with corridor agency stakeholders; Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), City and County of Denver, and Regional Transportation District (RTD). Agency coordination included a project Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) with Commissioner Summey as the Arapahoe BOCC representative, joined by representatives from CDOT, City of Aurora, DRCOG, City and County of Denver, and RTD. The intent of the project PAC was to inform agency officials of progress on the identification of improvements and to discuss potential project implementation. These same agencies designated technical staff to serve on the project’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and review details of technical analysis at key milestones.
Public input also played a key role in shaping the project outcomes. Two main public engagement points were held. The first was a virtual town hall held in April 2023 to introduce the project and gather input regarding existing issues and desired improvements. An in-person open house and interactive online experience in June/July 2024 presented the draft Level 2 evaluation recommendations for comment. In addition to the general public engagement, a community focus group was formed of local neighborhood association leadership, residents, and multimodal travel advocates. This group met twice between the general public engagement points to provide input during alternatives development and evaluation.
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact associated with this Study Session. The fiscal impact with the project has already been accounted for with intergovernmental agreements between CDOT, City of Aurora and a contract with the consultant. The project is funded through the Transportation Improvement Program with federal ($1.515M), City of Aurora ($110,000) and Arapahoe County ($110,000) for a total project amount of $1.735 Million.
Alternatives: This item is informational.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☒Be fiscally sustainable
☒Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: PWD recommends that the analysis be finalized with the BOCC input and that the projects listed should be implemented in partnerships on a priority basis.
Concurrence: N/A