US 6 and Heritage Interchange Design

Comments from watching the 4th open house presentation:

Would like to see the full width of the bike and pedestrian overpass. Noise is a huge problem with 6th that is only going to get worse. The more opportunities for lowering the road, the better it will be for surrounding neighborhoods. Eagle ridge and other surrounding neighborhoods are also big family areas. My family would appreciate a bigger and safer passageway to bike/walk into town.

Would much prefer an overpass for wildlife than an underpass. It is more natural for them and I feel we will still run into problems with an underpass.

The current underpass at Kinney Way Trail is extremely loud from traffic, dark, tight and wet when it rains. I would love to see that underpass improved for safety and noise.

Any modifications to this intersection should include modifications to the next two intersections (6th/Johnson Road and 6th/Colfax). When 6th/19th was modified, one of the side-effects is that traffic stacks up at 6th/Heritage, sometimes all the way back to 6th/19th. When 6th/Heritage is modified so that traffic on 6th does not stop, it is just going to stack up at 6th/Johnson (it already stacks up there to the point that many accidents have almost happened because the entrance to 470 gets partially blocked). All three intersections should be considered at the same time if the goal is to have traffic move smoothly and safely.

The interchange at 6th and 19th is aesthetically pleasing, so a design the coordinates with that it, but is not necessarily so elaborate would be great. The 6th and 19th interchange is somewhat confusing, since there can be a greater volume of traffic at the Heritage Rd. and 6th interchange a better interchange design should be utilized. Please make sure that pedestrian crossings can easily be view by drivers. Will the 'roundabout' mess that was created on Heritage Rd. be addressed prior to the interchange?

As someone who lives right up the road from Heritage and take this intersection to work every day, something I think that's important to keep in mind is the amount of cars on 6th turning to visit the JeffCo government buildings. During the beginning and end of the work day, the turn lanes can get very backed up.
Another thing to keep in mind is the amount of cyclists and runners that cross over 6th. So whatever the configuration is, it should be friendly for them too, as there are a lot of cyclists and runners, including weekday mornings during heavy commute times.

Unfortunately I will not be able to participate in tonight's meeting. I did, however, have an issue/question:

When we built the 19th street intersection we started with a two lane road (19th St) but built a bridge over Rt 6 that looks like it's big enough for 10-12 lanes and then created a crazy intersection on top of it. Another "Taj Mahal".

Please tell me we're not going that super expensive route again. It seems like a huge waste of money to create something so grandiose. There are many other things we can do with our funds.

Please keep it simple.

Thanks, Frank Hanou
1106 8th St, Golden
317-696-3901

Ideal outcomes to me would be
• on Heritage Rd, to be able to comfortably and safely walk or bike between Eagle Ridge Dr and the 6th Ave trail (with design allowing less room for unexpected/dangerous driver behavior);
• as a driver on 6th Ave, a consistent driving environment north and south of Heritage Rd (ideally a quick drive under typical conditions);
• accommodations for safe—preferably grade-separated—wildlife crossings; and
• aesthetics similar to the 19th St lid and interchange area.

For project values, in addition to standard values like safety and improved mobility, 'continuity' comes to mind. This might include connectivity between sidewalks/trails, a common design or set speed on 6th from north of Heritage to the C-470 ramps, and smooth transitions at the boundaries of the project area.

Hello! I live in Beverly Heights. I travel through the Heritage & US 6 intersection about 7 - 10 times per week. My primary design values are: 1) Safety for all traffic modes, especially pedestrians; 2) Mobility, especially for through traffic along US 6, and for some, perhaps not all, traffic approaching the intersection along Heritage Rd. and Jeffco Pkwy.; 3) Traffic noise reduction, especially for vehicles with loud engines such as semis and motorcycles. It would be nice to minimize the use of traffic lights and stop signs. Thanks for reading and including my comments.
Lou Henefeld

I live in Eagle Ridge, backing toward 6th Ave. Traffic on 6th is pretty loud. Sound barriers along the gap where the bike trail goes through the tunnel under 6th would be great, since the traffic noise will likely only get louder.
There will need to a way to better manage the rush hour traffic that stacks up to turn from 6th onto Heritage Rd/Jefferson Pkwy.
Establish and/or enforce noise limits on motorcycles. They can be crazy loud! Is there such a thing as a decibel display sign, similar to a sign that shows your speed of travel?
Signage ideas: Art welcoming westbound traffic to Golden; clear instructions for all types of traffic: cars, bikes, pedestrians; find a design that discourages large vehicles from traveling along Heritage Road and getting stuck in/at the roundabouts.
Mimic the Lookout Project with calm on-ramps and off-ramps, green space, and bike and pedestrian paths.
Connect bike paths in such a way that bicycles do not have to share lanes with automobiles...protect our bicyclists.
Thank you for taking comments.

Nathan Wiser

If I were to design the Heritage Rd./6th Ave. Project, I would begin by designing it similar to what Muller has done for the Lookout Project. That interchange may not be perfect in everyway, but it allows drivers to exit/or enter 6th Ave. without endangering drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, runners/joggers, or dog walkers crossing over 6th Ave.

I envision a similar type of an interchange at the Heritage Road/6th Ave. section of 6th Avenue. Such a change would allow a safer experience for Golden residents and visitors by reducing the dangers to those traveling across 6th Ave., those turning left onto Heritage Rd. and those turning right onto Jefferson County Parkway. Allowing drivers on 6th Ave. a more straight thru undisrupted route from Johnson Road thru to Hwy. 58 would reduce traffic congestion on 6th Ave for Golden residents in almost every way. Eliminating the current dangers and slow downs experienced by traffic congestion, bicyclists, runners/joggers or dog walkers would be the desired result. The installation of trees and other aesthetics would be made to improve the look of the cross over of 6th Ave., as done at the Lookout interchange and I'm sure the gas stations and other businesses would assist in the funding needed as well.

Thanks for the opportunity to give input to this worthy project.

Reduce backup traffic on southbound 6. Reduce traffic, and including truck & motorcycle, noise. Drop as much of road bed as possible of Highway 6 below grade and install lots of trees to dampen noise.allow hiker and bicycle crossings in all directions.

US 6 and Heritage Road Interchange Comments

1. Safety – Drivers,- Pedestrians-Walkers

At present there are 10 entrance lanes into the Intersection not counting 6 Avenue through lanes. The interweaving of cyclists, pedestrians (runners, walkers), and vehicle drivers are daily challenges.

Traffic Signal pole islands also serve as small pedestrian and cyclists’ safety islands. Walkers and cyclist’s crossing over 6th Avenue on both sides of the intersection must cross two continuous lanes to get to the opposite side of the intersection.

There is no distinct pedestrian-cyclist separation for those crossing 6 Ave. This also applies for people and cyclists crossing Jefferson County Parkway. (At present, few people cross Heritage Road at this intersection).

Long signal changes lead drivers to “push the yellow lights” or go on a red.

There are two pinch points. (1) During morning rush, vehicles in the north bound left turn lane from 6th Ave on to Heritage Road stack up requiring at least two signal changes to get through the intersection. Most these vehicles turn off at Golden Ridge Road. (2) During evening rush, vehicles stack up on Jefferson County Parkway heading across 6th Ave south on to Heritage Road. Many of these drivers use Heritage Road as a direct link to US 40 at the Hog Back.

2. Sense of Place and Aesthetics
The new overpass will serve (if done right) to provide an enhanced sense of place as a gateway into Golden and as an important access to Jefferson County Government office buildings.
The façade of the overpass, and the embankments leading to and away from the overpass need to be attractive. Alternative façade options should be made available for the public review and comment. Appropriate placed vegetation and trees can help beautify the intersection.

The long sweeping view of the foothills looking north from Heritage Road as seen from eye level of vehicle drivers, pedestrians and cyclists needs to be preserved.

Attractive signage on the overpass is important.

3. Safety -Winds
The intersection is subject to strong winds from the north which tears signals lights from their
wires and rips signs mounting brackets. Need to determine better solutions.


4. Realistic Traffic Counts
During the Covid-19 period, any traffic counts taken at this intersection during this unique time period will be an underestimation. Realistic data on traffic counts and data projections to at least 2035 must serve as the basis for overpass design. Vehicle traffic will increase from the additional local and regional housing which will entail greater density. Continued population growth in the western region of Denver Metro area is expected.

5. Future C-470 Trail Connection

Ideally, the overpass design will allow for a possible future connection from this intersection to the regional C-470 trail.

6. Public Involvement - Design Visuals and Metro Denver Comparison’s Sites

When the preliminary Design Visuals of the overpass are made public, the Consulting Engineer should identify similar elements or similar overpasses within the large pool of overpasses in greater Metro Denver. This will allow members of the public to take field trips to such locations. and assess the proposed design options in terms of 6th Ave Heritage Road site.

Hi, I am a homeowner whose back yard is backed up to Heritage Rd, between the roundabout at Eagle Ridge and the roundabout at 4th Ave.
I would like to see this intersection designed in a way that discourages thru-traffic on Heritage altogether. Ever since the roundabouts went it the traffic noise (and traffic in general) has decreased significantly, especially the "air brakes" that semi trucks would blast as they drove north on Heritage. However, now there is a new source of noise, and it is increasing month over month--motorcycles. Between the Harley Davidson dealership and the ever-expanding Dirty Dogs Roadhouse, there are HUNDREDS of motorcycles driving past our back yard every day, each competing with the other to see who can rev their engine the loudest as they drive past. If the intersection at 6th and Heritage could somehow be designed so that it was more inconvenient to take the Heritage exit than to just continue on to 6th and Colfax, it would hopefully reduce the motorcycle noise dramatically (are speed bumps on Heritage an option?).
Second, i would like to see this intersection designed in such a way that allows me and my family to ride our bikes across 6th ave safely and peacefully. We frequently ride bikes as a family, often heading to Splash or the disc golf course at the Courthouse. Crossing 6th ave is dicey at best, as the traffic can be very intimidating while both waiting and crossing. The intersection at 6th and 19th seems to be just perfect for the families that live in that area, and I would love to see something similar at 6th and Heritage.
Thanks!
Jefferson

Make it just like Linking Lookout, but with raised crossings for the bike/ped path. Also, such a project should allow for a reduction in lanes between that intersection and Warner Dr. My biggest complaint of the bike lanes on Heritage is that the northbound lane literally dumps a rider onto a highway atmosphere if you are traveling northbound, at Warner Dr. Directional signage for bikes simply disappears. When completing this redesign, I would hope you would ask yourselves: would you allow your child to ride their bikes through that intersection, or would you feel safe allowing an elderly parent to walk? The sheer wideness of Heritage at that intersection is horribly unnecessary and dangerous, and a redesign that mimics the successes of Linking Lookout would be fantastic. Also, can we complete the bike lane between where 10th Ave turns into Johnson Rd, and this intersection, on the east side of 6th and Heritage?

The outcome expected is that the intersection will be redesigned to reduce confusion for bicyclists and motor vehicle drivers by using Best Practices for Bicycle Facility Design to include bicycle lane markings beginning at the traffic signal south of this intersection guiding bicyclists along the right side of the left turn lane and extending to the front of the lane with the addition a GREEN BOX which will extend to the right across the front of the straight through lane, and a bicycle lane marking going along the right side of the straight through lane from the traffic signal south of the 6th Ave intersection and extending to the front of the lane where it terminates in the GREEN BOX in front of the motor vehicle straight through lane. Also needed is mitigation of the Pork Chop Islands on the north west side of 6th Avenue & Heritage Road which prevent bicyclists from safely accessing the west bound bike way, and causes apprehension & confusion to motorists merging to west bound 6th Avenue.

Vastly improved pedestrian safety and crossings.
Significant noise reduction.
Improved elk management (they still congregate and cross here)
Improved traffic congestion.
Reduction in visibility of 6th Ave. traffic.
MORE TREES along the corridor.
Sound barriers would be great.
Do NOT make it an easy place for "homeless" to sleep/rest under the over/underpass.
Improved management/travel for the road cyclists to cross and for others to ride up to Apex along Heritage.

Sure would LOVE to get rid of the traffic signal at Warner/Herigate and replace it with a round-a-bout.

Repeat Linking Lookout project with better mobility crossing 6.

1. Ability to walk across 6th without having to wait at the intersection and without having to stumble over icy mounds that have been left there by the snow plows; 2. Sound barriers to prevent the noise of the highway from being heard in the nearby neighborhoods. 3. More chances for the elk to pass through on this end of the highway. Many times, they get caught outside the fences and have to wander up and down between the road and the fence until they find an opening. Also, some elk have been killed at this intersection. 4. Services or something for the homeless that come on the train and infiltrate the neighborhoods.