Denver will continue to operate its shared streets initiative through the 2020-2021 winter season, providing space for people to walk and bike amid COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, and in the next few weeks, will begin introducing new configurations and materials along these stretches to withstand the elements and improve safety.
Changes will occur first along four Shared Streets that are also primary plow routes. At the locations below, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) will replace existing orange barricades with heavier, water-filled barriers and other traffic calming treatments that big plows can maneuver around:
- E. 11th Ave from Sherman St. to Humboldt St. (west of Cheesman Park) – District 10!
- E. 16th Ave from Lincoln Street to City Park Esplanade – District 10!
- Bayaud Ave from Sherman to Downing Streets
- 30th Street from Welton Street to Larimer Street
The new materials and configurations will be temporary in nature, but sturdier than barricades requiring less daily maintenance to ensure they remain in place. They’ll also eliminate the need for staff to physically move dozens of barricades before snow events, protecting the health and safety of DOTI workers. The most current listing of Denver’s Shared Streets can be found on the city’s website.
16th Ave Shared Street Update
DOTI will begin making improvements to the 16th Ave Shared Street this week. These safety improvements will make walking, biking, rolling, and driving safer and more comfortable for all road users. The safety improvements being implemented in January 2021 include:
- Water-filled barricades to slow vehicles and alert users they are on a Shared Street. These are heavier and more durable than the previous barricades.
- Intersection traffic calming to slow vehicles along the route, increasing safety.
11th Ave Shared Street Update
DOTI began making improvements to the 11th Ave Shared Street in late December 2020 and will continue through January 2021. These safety improvements will make walking, biking, rolling, and driving safer and more comfortable for all road users. The safety improvements include:
- Curb extensions & visibility improvements at intersections to reduce crossing distances, slowing vehicles, and extending no parking zones to improve visibility & safety
- Water filled barricades to slow vehicles and alert users they are in a shared street, heavier and more durable than current barricades
- Traffic circles to slow vehicles along the street, improving safety
- Intersection traffic calming to slow vehicles along the street, improving safety
About Denver’s Shared Streets Initiative
In April 2020, after Denver announced stay at home orders to reduce to spread of COVID-19, the city’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) closed several stretches of roadway to thru-traffic to provide residents with places to walk and bike amid social distancing rules. Areas prioritized for shared streets were those with greater population densities, where adjacent parks were seeing significant use and reaching capacity, and areas of the city without immediate access to a park or trail. While the roads are closed to thru-traffic, local access is allowed. People in cars are urged to go very slowly and use extreme caution on these shared streets. If you have questions about Shared Streets, please contact DOTI.comms@denvergov.org.
