18 miles of bikeway along US 36 offers commuters an alternative mode of transportation between Denver and Boulder

DENVER/BOULDER ? The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) and Plenary Roads Denver (PRD), the concessionaire for the US 36 Express LanesProject, today announced that the second phase of the US 36 Express Lanes commuter bikeway between 88th Street in Louisville/Superior and Table Mesa in Boulder will open tomorrow, March 1, completing the connection between Denver and Boulder. The US 36 corridor isa model for multi-modal options, and the bikeway is one of those components.

The first phase of the bikeway opened to commuters in June 2015, and cyclists have been enjoying 11 miles of bikeway between 80th Avenue in Westminster and 88th Street in Louisville/Superior. The entire length of the finished bikeway is 18 miles and features 12-foot-wide lanes with 2-foot wide shoulders and 6-inch thick concrete to ensure a comfortable ride. The bikeway features a connection to the existing trail system, offering commuters and recreational users all the benefits of the bikeway.

"?We are excited to have the bikeway open and ready to use. Coloradans have another opportunity to get outdoors, exercise, and ride with family and friends or commute between Denver and Boulder,"? said Executive Chairman of PRD Dale Bonner.

While the bikeway will open to cyclists tomorrow, in order to ensure a final quality product, travelers may notice some minor construction, landscaping and cleanup activities going on this spring.

?We are encouraging cyclists to let us know if they notice that any particular part of the bikeway needs attention,? said CDOT Project Director Scott Rees. ?Since last July, we?ve seen an average of almost 100 people per day on some areas of the US ​36 Bikeway. ​With warmer weather, longer days and the completion of the second phase of the bikeway, we expect the numbers of riders to increase as riders realize this bikeway is a great commute option."

The US 36 Express Lanes Project is a multi-modal project that is building an express lane in each direction on US 36, in addition tothe two free general-purpose lanes. The Express Lanes accommodate High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV), Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which started running in January 2016, and tolled vehicles. In addition to the bikeway, the project is replacing several bridges, adding BRT improvements, and installing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for tolling, transit and traveler information, and incident management. Phase 1, from Federal Boulevard to 88th Street in Louisville/Superior, opened in July 2015. Phase 2, from 88th Street to Table Mesa Drive in Boulder, is substantially complete with toll commencement set to begin at the end of March.

For more information about the project call 303-404-7042<tel:303-404-7042> or go to www.codot.gov<http://www.codot.gov>.

County seeking feedback on concept plans

Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County Transportation will host an open house to present concepts for extending the Boulder Canyon Trail further west along State Highway 119/Boulder Canyon Drive from its current terminus near Fourmile Canyon Drive west to Chapman Drive.

     What: Public Open House
     When: Thursday, Jan. 21, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
     Where: Alfalfa’s Market Community Room – 1651 Broadway, Boulder

The meeting is an opportunity for the public to review the concept plans and options and provide feedback that will help inform the design process.

The goal of the project is to extend the off-street path for bicyclists and pedestrians in Boulder Canyon. The path will connect to the Chapman Drive trailhead and Flagstaff Mountain Trails and includes a potential new route to Betasso Preserve. Boulder County Transportation is working on this project with help from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the City of Boulder, and project funding is coming from all three entities.

A feasibility report was completed in 2011. This report is available on the project website –www.BoulderCanyonTrail.com.

For more information, contact Matt Wempe at 303-441-4554 or mwempe@bouldercounty.org.

What would you like in the North TSA?

OSMP and the Open Space Board of Trustees received great feedback about the North Trail Study Area at recent workshops. If you have thoughts to share about your desires for plan outcomes, please contribute to the  Inspire Boulder discussion on the city’s digital town hall. Comment is welcomed until July 12. Provide your feedback

Note:  The area of the North TSA is HUGE.  It includes Boulder Valley Ranch, Joder Ranch, Lagerman/Double Dove, Boulder Reservoir, the Trail Around Boulder, the potential for new regional and internal trail connections, and much more.

Now is the time for all trail people to weigh in on these important topics!

For more information, please contact BATCO at 303-485-2162, visit NorthTSA.org or call OSMP at 303-441-3440.