Eyes on the Street: A Better Bike Crossing at 16th and Broadway

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Photo: David Sachs

Denver Public Works is adding a short stretch of raised bike lane, new intersection markings, and a bike-specific signal at 16th Avenue and Broadway, improving a tricky crossing for people biking into downtown.

Buses constantly turning into Civic Center Station and drivers turning left onto 16th make for a chaotic intersection for pedestrians and bicyclists. The makeover should smooth things out with a bike-specific signal (not yet operational) for crossing Broadway, curb expansions on the corners, and clearer markings for people biking and walking across Broadway. The bike lane has a painted “stop bar” to cue bicyclists to yield to pedestrians.

It’s a small project that should still pack a punch in terms of connectivity. This block was a thorn in the side of anyone who uses the 16th Avenue bike lane to get to transit or to the 15th Street bike lane downtown.

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Intersection markings more clearly delineate paths for people biking and walking. Photo: David Sachs
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The raised bike lane is short but will make a big difference at a hectic intersection. Photo: David Sachs

The raised bike lane is similar to the one on Bannock Street in front of City Hall. The project originally called for protecting this short stretch with a concrete island, but constructing the island would have conflicted with infrastructure beneath the street.

DPW expects this project to be completed by June 1.

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