The Colorado Department of Transportation, in partnership with the City of Denver and Bicycle Colorado, celebrated the grand opening of the new Alameda Avenue Bridge over the South Platte River, marking the end of a significant infrastructure project. According to a CDOT, this bridge replaces a 114-year-old predecessor and aims to improve travel for the roughly 47,000 vehicles that traverse it daily.
CDOT’s Region One Transportation Director Jessica Myklebust addressed the enhancements made, stating, "Other than regular maintenance and widening the bridge in 1966 following the devastating 1965 flood, this is a major improvement for the West Alameda Avenue corridor," as per CDOT. The bridge, a host to a considerable number of large trucks, was deemed functionally obsolete before the replacement.
Improvements didn't stop at the bridge. The modifications extended to the intersection at South Santa Fe Drive, removing a block of South Platte River Drive between Alameda and Cedar avenues, with traffic now diverted to a newly widened South Lipan Street. Also, a focus on a multi-modal corridor resulted in a reconstructed South Platte River Trail segment, a two-way bicycle track on Alameda Avenue, and wider sidewalks.
The project, which was fronted by Ames Construction with a price tag of $22.3 million, kicked off in January 2023. "First, I want to thank CDOT and the entire construction team; the engineers, planners, and especially the workers on the ground, who made this bridge a reality," Denver City Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez told CDOT. She highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure that prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists, emphasizing safety and community connectivity.
