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3-1 Transportation Master Plan 3.0 FUTURE TRANSPORTATION PLANS AND FACILITIES 3.1 US 85 Access Control Plan The Colorado Department of Transportation completed an Access Control Plan (ACP) for US 85 in December 1999. Included in the plan were a number of major changes to roadway access along US 85. Access changes that were recommended in the Access Control Plan were incorporated in the development of the 2020 model forecasts for this current Transportation Master Plan. • 120th Avenue – The four-legged intersection of US 85/120th Avenue is currently unsignalized. It will be signalized when it is warranted for traffic or safety reasons (high priority). Adams County has been conducting studies (alignment, environmental, etc.) for a number of years to complete 120th Avenue across the South Platte River. The plan would include a diamond interchange at US 85 and a grade separation of the UPRR tracks to the east (high priority). A diamond interchange has been initially identified. • 124th Avenue – This is an existing signalized intersection. There will be no major change at this intersection until interchanges have been built at both 120th Avenue and E-470. It would not be a safe situation to have a signal midway between two interchanges. When the signal is removed, the intersection will be reconstructed to limit access to right-in/right-out only (RIRO) operation to maintain reasonable access to the business(s) on the east side of US 85 (medium priority). If these businesses close another access can be provided, the intersection should be closed (long-term priority). The 2020 traffic model assumes this access is closed. • E-470 – A new connection between E-470 and US 85 is proposed near the current intersection at Nome Street (high priority). A diamond interchange with Nome Street is proposed on US 85 with Nome Street providing the connection between E-470 and US 85. Loop ramps are proposed for the connection to the E-470 tollway which will cross US 85 just south of 132nd Avenue. • 132nd Avenue – The four-legged intersection of US 85/132nd Avenue is currently unsignalized. The west leg will be closed when E-470 is constructed. The median will be closed to create a RIRO intersection when required to address safety or traffic volume problems. Ultimately, this intersection will be closed (long-term priority) when interchanges are built on both sides (E-470 to the south and either 136th or 144th Avenue to the north). The 2020 traffic model developed for this transportation master plan assumes this access is closed. • 136th Avenue – This four-legged intersection is currently unsignalized. It will be signalized when it is warranted for traffic or safety reasons (medium priority). Ultimately, a diamond configuration has been envisioned (long-term priority). ---PAGE BREAK--- 3-2 Transportation Master Plan • 144th Avenue – This four-legged intersection is currently unsignalized. The intersection will be converted to a ¾ configuration (medium priority) in the future to address safety or traffic volume problems. Ultimately, a diamond configuration has been envisioned (long-term priority). • Bromley Lane – This is an existing signalized intersection. Because of operational problems (traffic congestion and safety), an interchange is planned for this location (high priority). A single-point urban interchange (SPUI) configuration is shown in the ACP to minimize the acquisition of commercial property in the project vicinity. The ACP also shows the relocation of several streets in the area. These include the relocation of Brighton Road to align with Platte River Boulevard and of Main Street east, closer to the UPRR tracks. The ACP determined that a grade-separation of the UPRR tracks can only be achieved if the businesses between US 85 and the tracks on both sides of Bromley Lane are displaced. • SH 7 – This existing diamond interchange at US 85/SH 7 currently has operational problems because the ramp intersections and frontage road intersections are too closely spaced. The ramp intersections need to be signalized, but this cannot be accomplished until the existing frontage roads are closed and alternative connections made farther away from the interchange (medium priority). The ACP illustrates using Miller Avenue (via Egbert Circle and Walnut Street) for the west frontage road and Strong Street and First Avenue for access to the east frontage road. • Denver Street – This four-legged intersection is currently unsignalized. The median will be closed to create a RIRO intersection (high priority). When this modification is made, adequate turning radii for large trucks should be included at the intersection of Denver Street and the east frontage road. There are several businesses on the east side that rely heavily on large trucks for the operations. Other improvements at local intersection may be necessary to accommodate these trucks. Ultimately, this intersection will be closed after the frontage road improvements have been made at the SH 7 interchange and implementation of the interchange at CR 2 is imminent (medium priority). The 2020 traffic model developed for this transportation master plan assumes this access is closed. • WCR 2 (168th Avenue, Baseline Road) –A new interchange is planned at this location for the future (medium priority) replacing the existing signalized intersection. A single-point urban interchange (SPUI) is envisioned in order to minimize the taking of residences and business property in the vicinity. • WCR 4 – The tee intersection of US 85/CR 4 is unsignalized. Properties on the west side of US 85 have access at the intersection. As soon as possible, this intersection should be modified to a ¾ access (high priority). Ultimately, this intersection will be closed when interchanges are built at CR 2 on the south and either CR 6 or CR 8 to the north (long-term priority). The 2020 traffic model developed for this transportation master plan assumes this access is closed. ---PAGE BREAK--- 3-3 Transportation Master Plan 3.2 Adams County Transportation Plan The Adams County Transportation Plan (April 1996) identified US 85, E-470 and 120th Avenue as Transit Preservation corridors. Because of the level of existing development along 120th Avenue, transit service will probably be provided by enhanced on-street bus service. The 2020 plan designates E-470 and I-76 as four-lane freeways and US 85 as a six-lane expressway. These classifications have been assumed in the 2020 traffic model developed for this transportation master plan. Bridge Street west of US 85, Bromley Lane, 27th/Buckley, 4th Street/Sable, and 120th west of E-470 are all classified as four lane Principal Arterials. Bridge Street west of US 85 and 120th east of E-470 are classified as two lane Principal Arterials. 144th and 136th are classified as two-lane Minor Arterials. 3.3 E-470 The E-470 Beltway is a 47 mile long, four-lane roadway that extends from I-25 at C-470 south of the Denver Tech Center (I-25 South) around the east side of Metropolitan Denver and connects back into I-25 north of Denver at approximately 157th Avenue (I-25 North). The Beltway consists of four segments referred to as Segments I, II, III, and IV. Segments I, II, and III designate the portion of E-470 from I-25 South, east and north past I-70 and DIA and terminates at 120th Avenue just west of Tower Road. These Segments are completed and open to traffic. Segment I, from I-25 South to Parker Road, was completed in 1991. Segments II and III opened in 1998 and 1999. E-470 is generally constructed to Interstate standards with initial construction of two lanes in each direction. Design and right-of-way provisions have been made to expand to four lanes in each direction. Also, a wide median has been preserved to allow for future HOV lanes or a rail system. The final leg of E-470 ("Segment IV"), the 12.5 mile segment from 120th Avenue to I-25 at 157th Avenue, is under design and construction through a design/build contract. This segment will open to traffic in two phases. The first phase, from 120th Avenue to US 85, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2002. The second phase, from US 85 to I-25 at 157th Avenue, is scheduled to open in the spring of 2003. Within the study area, interchanges will be constructed with E-470 at 120th Avenue, I-76 and US 85. 3.4 Metro Vision 2020 The Denver Regional Council of Governments’ (DRCOG) Metro Vision 2020 (amended July 1997); is the Denver regional plan for addressing the future growth of the metro area through the year 2020. It outlines strategies and implementation steps to preserve the region’s quality of life while also positioning it to benefit from growth. The plan is organized around six core elements dealing with the development pattern of the region, the necessary transportation system and the actions needed to preserve air and water quality. Free-Standing Communities Under the Metro Vision 2020 plan, Brighton, along with Boulder, Castle Rock, and Longmont will remain separate from the larger urban area, each with an adequate ---PAGE BREAK--- 3-4 Transportation Master Plan employment-housing balance and internal transportation system. They will continue to be free-standing communities. Ideally, the free-standing communities will create their own multimodal transportation networks that include pedestrian and bicycle facilities and internal and external transit services, including commuter rail connections where feasible, and links to the regional system. Each of the four communities would reach populations of between 50,000 and 100,000 by the year 2020. Each of the four communities has an historic downtown area, which could serve as a center for transit, and cultural and business events. Although the development of a town center need not occur in the historic downtown area, the communities have the advantage of an already existing town center. The center's purpose is to provide a focus for the effective use of transit by providing the needed critical mass of jobs and retail activities. Metro Vision Regional Highway Network and 2020 Regional Transportation Plan Under the Metro Vision Regional Highway Network, E-470 and I-76 are classified as “Freeways 4 lanes.” US 85 is classified as a “Major Regional 6 or more lanes.” 120th Avenue west of E-470 is classified as a “Major Regional 4 lanes.” Sable Boulevard, Buckley Road, Bromley Lane, and Bridge Street between US 85, and 120th east of E- 470 are classified as “Principals 4 lanes.” Projects in the study area included in the Metro Vision 2020 Regional Transportation Plan include: • 120th Avenue. Widen to four lanes between Holly and E-470. • Buckley Road. Construct/Widen from 0/2 lanes to 4 lanes between 120th Avenue and Bridge Street. • US 85 at 120th. New Interchange. • US 85 at Bromley. New Interchange. • Systems management improvements. 120th Avenue, US-36 to E-470. US 85, I- 76 to Weld County Line. DRCOG has started the process to update and extend the transportation plan elements of the Metro Vision 2020 Plan to 2025. Over the next year citizens, staff, and committee members will be providing ideas, vision, and analyses to help develop the Fiscally-Constrained 2025 Regional Transportation Plan and a new Metro Vision 2025 Plan. 3.5 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) The FY 2001 – FY 2006 STIP has two roadway projects within the study area. They are: • 120th Avenue. New construction, Quebec St. to US 85. • 120th Avenue. Major widening, US 85 to Potomac. ---PAGE BREAK--- 3-5 Transportation Master Plan 3.6 Bromley Lane Signal Study A study dated January 26, 2000 made recommendations for intersection geometric improvements and future traffic signal locations on Bromley Lane. The signalized locations identified on Bromley Lane include: • Platte River Boulevard • K-mart/Grocery Warehouse entrance • US 85 (future urban interchange) • Business access between US 85 and UPRR • Fulton Avenue (existing) • 4th Avenue (existing) • Palizzi Marketplace • 8th Avenue • Chambers Road • 15th Avenue or 19th Avenue • 22nd Avenue • 27th Avenue • Safeway Marketplace • Telluride Street • 40th Avenue • K-mart Distribution Center (existing) • Justice Center Drive • Town Center • I-76 Frontage Road • I-76 Westbound Ramps • I-76 Eastbound Ramps