SH119 Bikeway Project
UPDATE (April 08) -
Construction of SH119 Bikeway Improvements at SH52 intersection and the bridge
over Lefthand Creek is underway. Construction includes a
new bicycle
bridge over Lefthand Creek and re-configured
intersection at SH52 to give cyclists more room through the SH52
Intersection.
Construction is expected to continue through June 1, 2008.
NEWS:
SH119 BIKEWAY PROJECT
The SH119 Bikeway project is an effort to create a continuous, safe bikeway
between Boulder, Gunbarrel, Niwot and Longmont. Those improvements are under
design for three locations: SH52 Intersection, northbound Lefthand Creek bridge
and the Four-mile Creek RR crossing.
The SH119 Bikeway Improvements were identified as part of the regional trails
prioritization process in 2003. This process included public participation and
the input of the Boulder County Regional Trails Committee and identified the
“Diagonal Bikeway”, near the top of the Boulder County Regional Trails list. The
priorities were approved by the Boulder County Commissioners in May 2003.
Project Description
- Lefthand creek crossing for northbound cyclists along the
Diagonal highway.
The Diagonal Highway includes 6-8 foot wide shoulders along most of the
highway from Boulder to Longmont. However, where SH 119 crosses Lefthand
Creek on the northbound lane, the shoulder for bicycles becomes non-existent
due to the very narrow bridge. This bridge is structurally sound and
therefore is not slated to be replaced by CDOT in the foreseeable future.
Therefore, a bike/ped bridge will be constructed over Lefthand Creek and
will be directly linked to the SH 119 northbound bike shoulder to allow
Longmont-bound cyclists to transition from the shoulder to a new ten foot
wide path and bridge, then back onto the SH 119 bike lane, avoiding the
narrow highway bridge altogether.
This part of the project will eliminate one of the most dangerous barriers
on SH 119 and will cost much less than replacing or widening the existing
highway bridge.
- Highway 52 Intersection Improvements. bikeway improvements
through the intersection to improve safety for cyclists.
Currently bike lanes on SH 119 become non-existent as they approach this
intersection and cyclists are forced to ride within the travel lane of SH
119. For many years has been an extremely dangerous situation for motorists
and cyclists alike. The proposed gap closure in the Diagonal bikeway will
make improvements to the intersection to improve safety for cyclists as they
pass through the intersection.
- 4-Mile Creek. bikeway connection to northbound Diagonal and an
underpass under the BNSF Railroad tracks;
Currently a multi-use path exists on the east and west sides of SH 119 at
Four Mile Creek and path already passes under SH 119 linking with the
Boulder-bound bike lane. However, the BNSF railroad acts as a barrier
between the two existing paths from east to west so a bike/ped box is
proposed under the RR. Those two paths, Four Mile Creek Trail and Cottonwood
Trail, are slated to become part of the larger “Boulder/Niwot Trail” system
as missing links are bridged.
Funding
The bikeway project is being designed and constructed with funds from the
Transportation Improvement Tax approved by voters in 2001 and from the Federal
Transportation Enhancement program administered by the Colorado Department of
Transportation. A construction date has not been set, but is tentatively planned
for October 2007.
More information on the project is available by calling Boulder County
Transportation at 303.441.3900.
Preliminary Design:
CONTACT US
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