Project Overview

The Oxford Ave Pedestrian Bridge Project will construct a new bridge for bicyclists and pedestrians crossing Oxford Ave between Santa Fe and Navajo St/Windermere St. This project will improve pedestrian and bicycle access to the RTD Light Rail Station northwest of the Oxford Ave and Windermere St intersection. The bridge will also provide a safer route for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross Oxford Ave while allowing an increase in green signal time for Oxford Ave traffic through the Windermere St/Navajo St intersection. Furthermore, this project is a key part of implementing the Englewood Walk and Wheel Plan and the Englewood Light Rail Corridor Plan.

Project Schedule

Final right-of-way acquisitions are being completed and the city hopes to rebid this project in the summer of 2024.

Project Updates

The city is expecting a cost contribution from a developer to help with the funding shortfall for this project. The city has also allocated additional funding in 2024 to help make up the funding gap. At this time, it is anticipated that the project could be re-bid in Summer 2024 and if bids come in within budget, construction of the bridge could start as early as next fall.

Project Scope

The design phase of this project had the consultant investigating and designing the following major characteristics of the proposed infrastructure:

Environmental Impacts

The design consultant coordinated with CDOT to investigate and obtain clearances on each of the environmental resources and fully comply with all NEPA requirements for federally funded transportation projects.

Bridge Design

The consultant performed a cost-benefit analysis and recommended a pre-fabricated steel truss bridge. The analysis also determined that a two span bridge would be the most cost-effective bridge configuration, by allowing for a shallow foundation at the south abutment and limiting right-of-way impacts. The bridge placement and structure depth were designed to minimize approach grades and meet ADA compliance while maintaining enough clearance for large trucks to pass underneath.

Connecting Paths

The final design includes connections to the nearby sidewalk as well as the RTD light rail station. The connecting paths will be ADA compliant and will provide a comfortable rider experience for bicyclists. The proposed connecting paths and the placement of the bridge made consideration of the planned Rail Trail, which will extend north and south from the project and will be completed at a later date.

Retaining Walls

The consultant analyzed the existing, adjacent retaining walls and developed a design that minimizes the impacts to these walls. Of critical concern, was the south side retaining wall near the Oxford Station Apartments. The proximity of the proposed bridge to this retaining wall required careful selection and design of the south side bridge foundation. Ultimately, the south bridge abutment will sit on expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks, which are a lightweight fill used in place of gravel or concrete. This EPS fill allows the bridge to sit adjacent to the existing retaining wall, without impacting it's structural integrity. In addition to accomodating the existing retaining walls, the proposed bridge will require retaining walls for the north and south approaches in order to shorten the bridge length and reduce overall costs.

Aesthetics

The consultant developed a handful of various aesthetic treatments for the bridge and approach paths, which were presented to City Council on August 23, 2021. The final design includes a green Englewood style railing similar to what's found in other locations around the city, such as the S. Broadway business district. The design also includes concrete staining and surface treatments to match the nearby, existing retaining walls. Finally, the bridge will include the Englewood logo on a monument feature extending up from the center pier, a logo on the north side retaining wall, and smaller logos on the approach railings.

Project Funding

This project has two sources of funding: federal funds awarded via grant through the DRCOG Transportation Improvement Program and City of Englewood funds. The funding breakdown is as follows:

$1.6M (Federal)+ $0.4M (City of Englewood) = $2.0M