Boulder's streetscape is evolving, now punctuated by its second fully protected intersection at the corner of 28th Street and Colorado Avenue. According to the City of Boulder, this new construction is part of a wider project aimed at enhancing safety and connectivity for all modes of travel, be it walking, biking, driving, or hopping on a bus in an area notorious for a high number of crashes.
Having completed the protected intersection, Boulder citizens will now see sidewalk-level bike lanes, ADA-compliant sidewalks, improved traffic signals, and bus lanes on Colorado Avenue. On one of the city's main arteries, the new bus lanes stretch from Folsom Street to just west of 30th Street, also featuring transit stop upgrades. Gerrit Slatter, Transportation, and Mobility Capital Projects Manager, with visible pride, said, "The headway we're making on this connected set of projects is thanks to years of efforts from the community, boards and council, city partners and staff." These remarks reflect the city's investment in its transportation infrastructure.
Moreover, the project included conflict zone pavements and clear markings to reduce accidents between different travel modes. Observers can watch the protected intersection in motion, demonstrating the city's commitment to a transportation vision that's not just about getting from point A to B but also about doing so with care for safety, equity, reliability, and environmental stewardship.
As part of the 30th and Colorado Corridors Study, the intersection connects to a series of improvements in the city's arsenal to combat its roadway woes. This comprehensive strategy aligns with Boulder's Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries, while also bolstering the city's Core Arterial Network (CAN). "We’re excited to start seeing our community traveling on these new and improved streets as we continue to build safer infrastructure across town," Slatter said, as per the City of Boulder.
This slew of improvements dovetails with the broader objective of Boulder's transportation vision, which prioritizes not just safe and reliable travel, but also equitable access, a range of travel options, and a dedication to clean air and climate commitment. The city hopes to set a precedent, integrating multimodal transportation seamlessly into the urban fabric of Boulder for generations to come.
