35th/36th Pedestrian Bridge Project
PROJECT UPDATE – MARCH 2014
Preferred Alternative Revised
As part of its final alternatives evaluation
process, the City and County of Denver
(CCD) has revised the west side landing
of the preferred alternative for the new
pedestrian bridge that will span over the
railroad tracks to connect Blake Street
and Wazee Street between 35th and 36th
Streets. The goal is to have the bridge
designed, constructed and open by 2016.
While a ramp and stairs combination was
initially recommended for the west side
landing of the bridge, additional
engineering conducted in early 2014 has
made a ramp less feasible from both a
technical and usability perspective due to
longer, steeper ramp grades and sharper
curves. Further constructability analysis
also determined the cost to build such a
ramp would exceed the project budget
because of the need for highly
specialized construction equipment. As
such, an elevator and stairs will be
constructed on both sides of the bridge.
The east side of the bridge will remain
the same as recommended in December 2013. This will include an elevator and stairs south of 36th
Street with a plaza that is directly adjacent to the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) 38th/Blake
Station on the East Rail Line. On the west side, an elevator and stairs that lands between 35th and 36th
Streets will be built with a sidewalk and plaza area that extends south to 35th Street to strengthen
connections to the redeveloping areas on Brighton Boulevard (see graphic above).
The decision to refine the preferred alternative of a ramp and stairs to that of an elevator and stairs was
based on new constraints revealed during more detailed engineering of the bridge. Given those
constraints, the ramp on the west side would have to be significantly steeper and longer than originally
anticipated with an 8% slope, 10 landings and a tight switchback. This created safety and accessibility
concerns, particularly related to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) preferences. Constructability of
the ramp option was also infeasible within the project budget. The elevator allows flexibility to minimize
skew of the bridge across the railroad tracks and reduce construction costs. The elevator option also
requires the smallest, narrowest footprint of any of the alternatives evaluated, making it most feasible in
this constrained area.
Project Contacts: Jennifer Hillhouse or Emily Snyder
[email protected] / (720) 865-3158 or [email protected] / (720) 913-4562
www.denvergov.org/35-36bridge
Design Phase Begins
The project is now moving into detailed design with the goal of constructing the bridge to open in
conjunction with RTD’s East Rail Line by 2016. The City will design the bridge to be consistent with
other planned structures in the area. Based on input expressed in the public outreach process, several
driving factors for the design have been developed by the City. These factors are outlined below.
Additional public input will be sought throughout the process to help optimize the design and function of
the bridge and entry plazas. While the design will be constrained by the project budget, future
opportunities for partnerships that may be helpful in reaching long-term urban design and connectivity
goals will also be identified.
Cost/Budget Factors
 Construct a functioning bridge within budget and timeframe parameters
Safety Factors
 Clear and observable single points of entry for both stairs and elevators
 Visibility of all bridge components for surveillance purposes
 Consistent lighting with minimal glare to adjacent properties
 Protection from the adjacent freight and commuter rail lines
Aesthetics and Urban Design Factors
 Bridge and plaza elements should fit within industrial context and have a unified urban
design theme
 Promote a sense of arrival/place making
 Orient stairs and elevators for solar access when feasible, while minimizing shadow lines
on adjacent properties
Circulation and Wayfinding Factors
 ADA compliance and accessibility for all users
 East side landing oriented to provide a clear connection to RTD’s 38th/Blake Station and
the Five Points, Cole and Upper Larimer neighborhoods
 West side landing oriented to provide a clear connection to 35th Street, Brighton
Boulevard and the South Platte River area
 Stairs and bridge corridor wide enough to accommodate existing and future activity and
provide a sense of place
 Minimize the visual perception of the bridge’s height and length
Operations and Maintenance Factors
 Compliance with all Denver, RTD and Union Pacific Railroad technical and operational
requirements
 Select materials designed for efficient maintenance and cleaning
 Minimize the number and size of blank walls
For more information, please visit our website at www.denvergov.org/35-36bridge or contact one of the City’s
project managers to provide input (contact info below).
Project Contacts: Jennifer Hillhouse or Emily Snyder
[email protected] / (720) 865-3158 or [email protected] / (720) 913-4562
www.denvergov.org/35-36bridge