A $110 million makeover of U.S. 6 between Sheridan Boulevard and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line just east of Interstate 25 in Denver will make driving easier and safer on the congested roadway, say planners.
“It’s a huge step,” said Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Mindy Crane. “It will greatly help the flow of traffic, and we will replace several bridges, many of which are in poor condition.”
People interested in the project — which will start next summer — can get a view of what’s planned during an open house scheduled 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Barnum Recreation Center, 360 Hooker St. in Denver.
“This project will bring significant improvements to both U.S. 6 and Federal Boulevard,” said CDOT project engineer Kevin Sullivan.
CDOT is now reviewing design-build contractors for the project and will make its selection in early 2013, Crane said.
CDOT says the project consists of the following elements:
• Replaces five bridges that are in poor condition — U.S. 6 over Bryant Street, U.S. 6 over I-25, Federal Boulevard over U.S. 6, U.S. 6 over the South Platte River (just west of I-25) and U.S. 6 over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad east of I-25.
• Reconstructs the U.S. 6/Federal Boulevard interchange to improve safety and mobility and access to Bryant Street, as well as from Federal Boulevard to eastbound U.S. 6.
• Reconstructs U.S. 6 from Federal Boulevard to the BNSF Railroad bridge east of I-25. This will eliminate the crossover movements from vehicles on eastbound U.S. 6 entering and exiting onto Bryant Street and provide for wider shoulders.
• Adds a new structure immediately east of I-25 under U.S. 6 to separate traffic exiting northbound I-25 to westbound U.S. 6.
• Widens Federal Boulevard between Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue to three through lanes in each direction.
• Paves U.S. 6 between Sheridan Boulevard and Knox Court.
• Constructs a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over U.S. 6 just to the west of Federal Boulevard to connect Barnum Park and Barnum North Park.
The project is being funded by state and federal funds; the Colorado Bridge Enterprise, which uses a small portion of vehicle registration fees to repair or replace poor bridges; and the city of Denver.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907, mwhaley@denverpost.com or
