Central Golden Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Projects

Project Update: Sept. 2025

The 100% plans for the protected bike lane, 14^th and Ford, and 24^th and Jackson improvements is now available for review.

• Protected Bike Lanes 100% Plans

A project FAQ is also now available to address common questions and answers that have come up over the past several months.

The City is preparing to bid construction of this project this fall, with a final public meeting focused on discussing construction impacts with residents and business along the corridor and the contractor yet to be scheduled.

Project Overview

The Planning Department, in collaboration with Public Works, is proposing several bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements along the Ford Street and Jackson Street corridors between 14th Street and 24th Street. In accordance with the adopted 2023 Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, the City is proposing the following projects:

• A protected bike lane on Ford Street between 14th & 24th
• A protected bike lane on Jackson Street between 14th & 24th
• Adding a raised four-way intersection at Jackson Street & 24th
• Intersection improvements at Ford Street & 14th

Ford Street Proposed Design Elements:

This project proposes eliminating parking on Ford Street from 24^th Street to 14^th Street to provide a protected bike lane and buffer between the bike lane and the travel lane. Providing the buffer will formalize a place for people to place their trash cans on trash day without blocking the bike facility and causing people to swerve into the travel lane. The project includes modifying the existing curb ramps to meet ADA accessibility requirements as well as adding new curb ramps where they do not exist today. The project also includes reconfiguring the intersection at Ford and 14^th Street to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross. There have been two crashes (one involving a pedestrian and one involving a bicyclist) at this intersection since 2018. The proposed intersection design eliminates the southbound left turn lane and prohibits the movement straight through the intersection from 14^th Street. Prohibiting these movements allows the addition of a pedestrian refuge island, shortening the crossing distance. Although the bike lane varies in width between 23^rd and 24^th street, generally the proposed roadway will have two 11-foot travel lanes, a 5-foot buffer, and a 7-foot bike lane. The buffer will be a physical barrier of alternating flex posts and concrete dividers.

Jackson Street Proposed Design Elements:

The project proposes eliminating one travel lane on Jackson Street between 15^th Street and 19^th Street (Jackson Street is currently one travel lane between 14^th and 15^th Street). Dropping a travel lane will provide the space needed for a protective barrier between the bike lane and the travel lane. The buffer between 15^th Street and 18^th Street will include some green infrastructure elements because this area is in the floodplain. The existing bulb outs from 20^th Street to 23^rd Street will be removed and the parking along these blocks will also be removed. Two lanes of travel will remain (between 19^th and 24^th) along with a protected bike lane. The 24^th and Jackson Street intersection will be converted to a raised intersection. Bulb outs will remain at the intersection but will be modified to have mountable curbs to accommodate larger vehicles, like school buses. Although the roadway width varies along Jackson, generally, from 14^th to 19^th, the proposed roadway design will have one 12-foot travel lane, a 9-foot buffer, and a 7-foot bike lane. From 19^th to 24^th, the proposed roadway design will have two 11-foot travel lanes, a 5-foot buffer, and a 7-foot bike lane. The buffer from 18^th to 24^th will be a physical barrier of alternating flex posts and concrete dividers.

The detailed design plans are included under the "Documents" section of this website.

Community Engagement Opportunities

Open House # 1:

• Tuesday, June 18, 2024 (5:30 - 7:00 p.m.)
• Ride Wrap: 1950 Ford St, Golden, CO 80401

The main purpose of this open house was for city staff to hear public feedback on the proposed design. Public feedback will be incorporated as the project moves through the design process. The City is currently working on developing the design plans for this project and is in the process of pursuing construction funding.

Open House # 2:

• Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 (5:30-7:00p.m.)
• Natural Grocers Test Kitchen: 2401 Ford Street, Golden CO

Discussion on how feedback was incorporated from the first open house in the revised design.

Open House # 3:

• Details TBD
• A final Open House will be held in Early Fall 2025 after a construction contractor has been hired. The meeting will focus on the construction schedule and impacts in advance of construction beginning. Notification will be sent to all property owners and renters along Ford and Jackson Street (14th to 24th Street) to ensure they are aware of the meeting. Since the project will have already been bid for construction, the meeting will not be an opportunity to revise the 100% design plans that were developed based on feedback from past community engagement opportunities. Both the construction contractor and City staff will be present to answer questions.

Construction:

• During construction the contractor will be required to post door tags in advance of construction beginning on individual blocks. This will provide additional notice of construction activity should the initial schedule require modifications.

Accessibility Support

Please contact Matt Wempe (mwempe@cityofgolden.net) or 303-215-8884 if you, a person you are assisting, or an organization needs additional help to engage with our planning process due to limited access to technology, a disability or a language access need.

Póngase en contacto con (mwempe@cityofgolden.net ) o 303-215-8884 si usted, una persona a la que asiste o una organización necesita ayuda adicional para participar en nuestro proceso de planificación debido a un acceso limitado a la tecnología, una discapacidad o una necesidad de acceso lingüístico.