Title
96th Avenue Pedestrian Underpass Update
Body
The City of Commerce City is widening East 96th Avenue from Chambers Road to Tower Road from two lanes, one lane in each direction, to a four-lane median divided roadway. After the initial project was scoped, the need to also construct a pedestrian underpass as a part of the project was identified by City Council during the 2023 Winter Retreat. Although not included in the original project budget, the design reached 30% completion in February. As such, a cost estimate was generated and funds identified to complete the design phase, construct the underpass, include construction management services, and include contingency.
The location of the underpass on the west side of the intersection was determined during the concept evaluation phase of the pedestrian underpass. There were two locations evaluated. Reunion was selected because of cost, proximity to the highest amount of pedestrian traffic to use the underpass, and its proximity to the future high school entrance. During the finalization of the concept plan, the north entrance to the underpass was shifted to the west to avoid conflicts with required widening of Reunion, traffic signal foundations at the intersection, and to ensure the length of ramps will meet ADA requirements.
Design efforts for the underpass are ongoing. Once 90 percent design is reached, staff will follow the procurement process to select a contractor to handle construction. The underpass is planned to be constructed while the other work associated with the 96th Avenue project is occurring, and work on the underpass is expected to begin in fall of 2025.
Exhibits A and B in the packet illustrate the location of the underpass and its proximity to the future high school.