Get a Look at the Latest Design Proposal for Brighton Boulevard
It’s been about six months since the city last presented its street design for Brighton Boulevard between 29th and 44th in RiNo. Designers unveiled the final design Wednesday night at a town hall meeting. This sleek video provides an overview.
The design promises a substantial overhaul: Wide sidewalks where none exist now, safer intersections, and a raised bike lane along a 1.5-mile street that’s quickly evolving from its industrial past.
Last night’s presentation showed that the design has improved in some ways.
Six months ago, there were a lot of open questions. Would the bike lane be raised or at street-level with a curb to protect riders? How would the design mitigate conflicts between people biking and people waiting for a bus? Designers answered those questions and unveiled some new pieces on Wednesday.
Intersections With Bike Turn Boxes
Designers added turn boxes for bikes at some intersections, which make it easier to take left turns in two phases by creating a dedicated space for turning cyclists to stop and wait for the signal to change. They also added green pavement markings at intersections, like crosswalks for bikes, to increase the visibility of crossing cyclists.
A Raised Bike Lane
This is a big deal: The bike lane on each side of the street will be raised six inches above the roadbed.
Reducing Conflicts at Bus Stops
The new design provides space where people can wait for the bus and board without obstructing the bike lane. There isn’t a bus shelter pictured, but the design can accommodate them — though they aren’t yet funded.
If there’s one shortcoming in the plan, it’s the design of some intersections that still cater to cars more than people.
Currently, people take their life into their hands crossing Brighton. The project includes three new signalized crossings — including a push-button signal for pedestrians at 33rd — and several new crosswalks that will also help. But the newest design includes touches at some intersections mainly to keep cars moving.
At 36th and 40th streets, for instance, there will be no designated way to cross Brighton, which has a posted speed limit of 35 mph. Based on the simulated flyover video, it also looks like the corners at several intersections have wide radii, which can create hazards for people walking and biking since drivers can turn without slowing down that much.