The University of Colorado at 麻豆影院 will close a section of Regent Drive on campus starting May 9 to construct Regent Crossing, a pedestrian and bicycle underpass.
CU statistics show that between 2000 and mid-2004, there were 12 verified and reported injury-related accidents between pedestrians and vehicles or bikes on the crosswalk between Fiske Planetarium and the Leeds School of Business. City of 麻豆影院 statistics show that approximately 50,000 vehicles per day turn west onto Colorado Avenue, with the vast majority turning onto Regent Drive. That amount of traffic, mixed with nearly 2,000 pedestrians who cross Regent multiple times each day, makes for an extremely tricky intersection.
"Those who experience this crossing on a daily basis know that this is a very problematic intersection," said Vice Chancellor for Administration Frank Bruno. "The time has arrived, along with the funding, to create a permanent solution and provide a safer environment for all."
Both the city and CU-麻豆影院 recognized the safety and traffic issues surrounding this intersection and decided to jointly apply for federal funding.
"This important project will help improve traffic flow for all modes in a congested area of the city," said Mike Gardner-Sweeney, city of 麻豆影院 acting director of Public Works for Transportation. "The city helped secure federal funding for these improvements and is happy to see them come to fruition."
From Saturday, May 9, through Saturday, August 15, Regent Drive will be closed between Kittredge Loop Drive and the Leeds School of Business parking lot. Drivers will be able to access Kittredge Loop Drive from the west and the Leeds School of Business parking lot from the east.
The primary function of the Regent Crossing is to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and a safe path through campus for pedestrians and bicyclists. Regent Drive will be elevated over the intersection at Fiske Planetarium, and a 24-foot-wide pedestrian underpass will be built at grade to ferry pedestrians and bicycles safely across the street. This underpass will connect the plaza at Fiske and the new plaza at the Center for Community to be built on the north side of Regent Drive.
This $3.4 million project is the result of collaboration between CU-麻豆影院, the city of 麻豆影院, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Denver Regional Council of Governments and the Colorado Department of Transportation. The crossing will be funded by a $2.694 million Federal TIP Grant and through campus cash funds.
CU is hosting two open house meetings for faculty, staff, students and community members on Monday, April 27, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Wittemeyer Courtroom of the Wolf Law Building. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the project, how to access campus during the closure and talk one-on-one with university officials.
More information is available on the Regent Crossing at .
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