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West 8th Street Closures

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Consultation has concluded

Update 4/27/2020:

Crews are pulling the temporary scaffold bridge today, and instead the construction fence and delineators have been moved to provide a route for pedestrians on the permanent sidewalk.

A person will be out directing pedestrians throughout the day. A temporary asphalt patch is planned for later today and crews will then relocate the fence as shown below.

Update 3/24/2020:

The temporary trail crossing over the Church Ditch and connection to 8th Street will be a little challenging this week because the crossing area has been tightened for utility work. You will need to use the 8th Street West parking lot to connect to 8th Street and the trail for about a week. We recommend that riders dismount and walk through the area during this time.

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Recently, the Church Ditch and the Basecamp development at the end of 8th Street coordinated construction efforts to replace failing or under-capacity infrastructure. The developer’s part of the construction involves the replacement and installation of public utilities, including new water and wastewater mains. These improvements will serve both the Basecamp development and the Jefferson County Peaks to Plains trail head facility along Clear Creek Trail. The replacement and installation of the public water and wastewater mains will be paid for by the development in accordance with City codes and standards. The Church Ditch Company is replacing the culvert beneath 8th Street within the ditch Rights of Way. The culvert replacement is the component of these coordinated projects that requires the full closure of 8th Street, as well as the adjacent trail. The culvert replacement was initiated by the Church Ditch Company and coordinated with the development to minimize the impact to 8th Street and the trail. The work was scheduled in the winter months when trail use is lower than other times to further minimize the inconvenience. This work will also include enhancements to the trail crossing at 8th Street in the form of a raised crosswalk and improved sight distance for trail users and 8th Street motorists at the crossing. To be clear, the City is not allowing a closure for the convenience of the Basecamp developers. The City is holding the developers responsible for the public infrastructure improvements necessary for the construction of their project. When complete, the infrastructure will be turned over to the City. The closure is necessary due to the separate project by the Church Ditch Company.

City staff investigated alternative routes to keep a temporary trail open during this time, but they did not find any that seemed feasible, affordable, or safe. Since then, more research is being done to find a temporary solution. Meantime, signage has been added. Signage has been added to inform trail users of the closure and advise of alternate routes. The main alternative route is Washington Avenue. Signs have been added to New Loveland Mine Park, the pedestrian bridge over HWY 93, Iowa Street and Rubey Drive, 8th Street, and the Clear Creek Trail.

The duration of the closure is anticipated to be 8 weeks with an original target date of March 17 (since revised to April 1 due to weather) for reopening of the trail. This may seem like a long time, but the project requires excavation and removal of the old culverts and grading to the proper level. This is followed by forming and tying steel rebar for three different sequential concrete pours. Each pour is followed by a minimum of seven days or longer to get required concrete strength. Finally, the area around the box culvert is backfilled to the street and trail level.

City staff will continue to work with the contractor to shorten that duration in any reasonable way. As is standard with such construction, adverse weather or unforeseen issues could lengthen the construction schedule.

Update 4/27/2020:

Crews are pulling the temporary scaffold bridge today, and instead the construction fence and delineators have been moved to provide a route for pedestrians on the permanent sidewalk.

A person will be out directing pedestrians throughout the day. A temporary asphalt patch is planned for later today and crews will then relocate the fence as shown below.

Update 3/24/2020:

The temporary trail crossing over the Church Ditch and connection to 8th Street will be a little challenging this week because the crossing area has been tightened for utility work. You will need to use the 8th Street West parking lot to connect to 8th Street and the trail for about a week. We recommend that riders dismount and walk through the area during this time.

-----------------------------------------------------

Recently, the Church Ditch and the Basecamp development at the end of 8th Street coordinated construction efforts to replace failing or under-capacity infrastructure. The developer’s part of the construction involves the replacement and installation of public utilities, including new water and wastewater mains. These improvements will serve both the Basecamp development and the Jefferson County Peaks to Plains trail head facility along Clear Creek Trail. The replacement and installation of the public water and wastewater mains will be paid for by the development in accordance with City codes and standards. The Church Ditch Company is replacing the culvert beneath 8th Street within the ditch Rights of Way. The culvert replacement is the component of these coordinated projects that requires the full closure of 8th Street, as well as the adjacent trail. The culvert replacement was initiated by the Church Ditch Company and coordinated with the development to minimize the impact to 8th Street and the trail. The work was scheduled in the winter months when trail use is lower than other times to further minimize the inconvenience. This work will also include enhancements to the trail crossing at 8th Street in the form of a raised crosswalk and improved sight distance for trail users and 8th Street motorists at the crossing. To be clear, the City is not allowing a closure for the convenience of the Basecamp developers. The City is holding the developers responsible for the public infrastructure improvements necessary for the construction of their project. When complete, the infrastructure will be turned over to the City. The closure is necessary due to the separate project by the Church Ditch Company.

City staff investigated alternative routes to keep a temporary trail open during this time, but they did not find any that seemed feasible, affordable, or safe. Since then, more research is being done to find a temporary solution. Meantime, signage has been added. Signage has been added to inform trail users of the closure and advise of alternate routes. The main alternative route is Washington Avenue. Signs have been added to New Loveland Mine Park, the pedestrian bridge over HWY 93, Iowa Street and Rubey Drive, 8th Street, and the Clear Creek Trail.

The duration of the closure is anticipated to be 8 weeks with an original target date of March 17 (since revised to April 1 due to weather) for reopening of the trail. This may seem like a long time, but the project requires excavation and removal of the old culverts and grading to the proper level. This is followed by forming and tying steel rebar for three different sequential concrete pours. Each pour is followed by a minimum of seven days or longer to get required concrete strength. Finally, the area around the box culvert is backfilled to the street and trail level.

City staff will continue to work with the contractor to shorten that duration in any reasonable way. As is standard with such construction, adverse weather or unforeseen issues could lengthen the construction schedule.

Consultation has concluded
  • Share Thank you very much for the clarification of the projects and work being done. I was caught off guard when running with my dog and found the closure as a surprise! I fully appreciate the safe crossing of the highway on the pedestrian bridge and use the trails every day. The improved crosswalk at 8th Street sounds promising. Are there any plans for a raised crosswalk along 10th Street near the Library? There is not a current construction project on 10th Street so perhaps it could be included with the work on 8th Street? on Facebook Share Thank you very much for the clarification of the projects and work being done. I was caught off guard when running with my dog and found the closure as a surprise! I fully appreciate the safe crossing of the highway on the pedestrian bridge and use the trails every day. The improved crosswalk at 8th Street sounds promising. Are there any plans for a raised crosswalk along 10th Street near the Library? There is not a current construction project on 10th Street so perhaps it could be included with the work on 8th Street? on Twitter Share Thank you very much for the clarification of the projects and work being done. I was caught off guard when running with my dog and found the closure as a surprise! I fully appreciate the safe crossing of the highway on the pedestrian bridge and use the trails every day. The improved crosswalk at 8th Street sounds promising. Are there any plans for a raised crosswalk along 10th Street near the Library? There is not a current construction project on 10th Street so perhaps it could be included with the work on 8th Street? on Linkedin Email Thank you very much for the clarification of the projects and work being done. I was caught off guard when running with my dog and found the closure as a surprise! I fully appreciate the safe crossing of the highway on the pedestrian bridge and use the trails every day. The improved crosswalk at 8th Street sounds promising. Are there any plans for a raised crosswalk along 10th Street near the Library? There is not a current construction project on 10th Street so perhaps it could be included with the work on 8th Street? link

    Thank you very much for the clarification of the projects and work being done. I was caught off guard when running with my dog and found the closure as a surprise! I fully appreciate the safe crossing of the highway on the pedestrian bridge and use the trails every day. The improved crosswalk at 8th Street sounds promising. Are there any plans for a raised crosswalk along 10th Street near the Library? There is not a current construction project on 10th Street so perhaps it could be included with the work on 8th Street?

    shaytande asked almost 5 years ago

    A crosswalk crossing 10th Street at Illinois Street is on the list of crosswalk candidates to be evaluated by staff and MTAB for installation this year. The addition of a crosswalk at this location would be funded by the City and constructed by City contractors and therefore not associated with the current 8th Street construction.

  • Share I live near the Mitchell school and this trail is our main access to downtown. Others have already asked questions about why an alternative wasn't possible, so I'll ask instead: Why was there no prior notice about such an impactful closure? Our first indication that the trail was closed was when we couldn't get home from downtown on Saturday, Jan 25th. Based on your previous answers, it seems that city people were aware of this well before then. The first official notice I saw was in the weekly Golden email that didn't come out until Tuesday, Jan 28th. on Facebook Share I live near the Mitchell school and this trail is our main access to downtown. Others have already asked questions about why an alternative wasn't possible, so I'll ask instead: Why was there no prior notice about such an impactful closure? Our first indication that the trail was closed was when we couldn't get home from downtown on Saturday, Jan 25th. Based on your previous answers, it seems that city people were aware of this well before then. The first official notice I saw was in the weekly Golden email that didn't come out until Tuesday, Jan 28th. on Twitter Share I live near the Mitchell school and this trail is our main access to downtown. Others have already asked questions about why an alternative wasn't possible, so I'll ask instead: Why was there no prior notice about such an impactful closure? Our first indication that the trail was closed was when we couldn't get home from downtown on Saturday, Jan 25th. Based on your previous answers, it seems that city people were aware of this well before then. The first official notice I saw was in the weekly Golden email that didn't come out until Tuesday, Jan 28th. on Linkedin Email I live near the Mitchell school and this trail is our main access to downtown. Others have already asked questions about why an alternative wasn't possible, so I'll ask instead: Why was there no prior notice about such an impactful closure? Our first indication that the trail was closed was when we couldn't get home from downtown on Saturday, Jan 25th. Based on your previous answers, it seems that city people were aware of this well before then. The first official notice I saw was in the weekly Golden email that didn't come out until Tuesday, Jan 28th. link

    I live near the Mitchell school and this trail is our main access to downtown. Others have already asked questions about why an alternative wasn't possible, so I'll ask instead: Why was there no prior notice about such an impactful closure? Our first indication that the trail was closed was when we couldn't get home from downtown on Saturday, Jan 25th. Based on your previous answers, it seems that city people were aware of this well before then. The first official notice I saw was in the weekly Golden email that didn't come out until Tuesday, Jan 28th.

    nscollins asked almost 5 years ago

    The simple answer is that we failed.  Our normal process for communicating significant closures wasn't followed and we apologize for not providing timely and extensive communication regarding the closure.  

  • Share I'm confused by your response. Without even looking into it, how was the city able to determine that crossing the ditch would be time and cost prohibitive? In Golden Weekly Digest, we were told that a temporary bridge had been looked into, now we are being told that no options at all, for crossing the ditch, were looked into...which is it? on Facebook Share I'm confused by your response. Without even looking into it, how was the city able to determine that crossing the ditch would be time and cost prohibitive? In Golden Weekly Digest, we were told that a temporary bridge had been looked into, now we are being told that no options at all, for crossing the ditch, were looked into...which is it? on Twitter Share I'm confused by your response. Without even looking into it, how was the city able to determine that crossing the ditch would be time and cost prohibitive? In Golden Weekly Digest, we were told that a temporary bridge had been looked into, now we are being told that no options at all, for crossing the ditch, were looked into...which is it? on Linkedin Email I'm confused by your response. Without even looking into it, how was the city able to determine that crossing the ditch would be time and cost prohibitive? In Golden Weekly Digest, we were told that a temporary bridge had been looked into, now we are being told that no options at all, for crossing the ditch, were looked into...which is it? link

    I'm confused by your response. Without even looking into it, how was the city able to determine that crossing the ditch would be time and cost prohibitive? In Golden Weekly Digest, we were told that a temporary bridge had been looked into, now we are being told that no options at all, for crossing the ditch, were looked into...which is it?

    Bryank80 asked almost 5 years ago

    Bryan,

    Sorry that I wasn't clear. We did look into a temporary crossing - and continue to explore that option. We will need to get permission from the Church Ditch Water Authority to cross over the ditch.  It has been our experience that getting permission can be slow and expensive. 

  • Share Pants on Fire! Blocking the westernmost cycle/pedestrian CO58 overpass and the western entrance to the Community Center? Doesn't this respect Developers more than Golden Citizens - for example kids who are blocked from walking to Mitchell Elementary, or folks who live in north Golden who want to cycle/walk to downtown Golden or to work? Aretha was right - RESPECT. on Facebook Share Pants on Fire! Blocking the westernmost cycle/pedestrian CO58 overpass and the western entrance to the Community Center? Doesn't this respect Developers more than Golden Citizens - for example kids who are blocked from walking to Mitchell Elementary, or folks who live in north Golden who want to cycle/walk to downtown Golden or to work? Aretha was right - RESPECT. on Twitter Share Pants on Fire! Blocking the westernmost cycle/pedestrian CO58 overpass and the western entrance to the Community Center? Doesn't this respect Developers more than Golden Citizens - for example kids who are blocked from walking to Mitchell Elementary, or folks who live in north Golden who want to cycle/walk to downtown Golden or to work? Aretha was right - RESPECT. on Linkedin Email Pants on Fire! Blocking the westernmost cycle/pedestrian CO58 overpass and the western entrance to the Community Center? Doesn't this respect Developers more than Golden Citizens - for example kids who are blocked from walking to Mitchell Elementary, or folks who live in north Golden who want to cycle/walk to downtown Golden or to work? Aretha was right - RESPECT. link

    Pants on Fire! Blocking the westernmost cycle/pedestrian CO58 overpass and the western entrance to the Community Center? Doesn't this respect Developers more than Golden Citizens - for example kids who are blocked from walking to Mitchell Elementary, or folks who live in north Golden who want to cycle/walk to downtown Golden or to work? Aretha was right - RESPECT.

    DendySloan asked almost 5 years ago

    Dendy, the culvert replacement that necessitated closure of the trail is not related to the Basecamp development project. It is a separate project initiated by the Church Ditch Water Authority. The ditch easement allows this type of maintenance/repair with very few limitations and, unfortunately, at this location the ditch pre-dates the road. The developer is taking advantage of the closure to complete some required utility work as is the dog park. These other activities would not require the full closure of the road and trail. 

  • Share Could you please share the alternative routes that were investigated...and also let us know why they were found to not be reasonable and not to be safe? When were these options looked into? 3 different concrete pours, 7 days apart, equals 21 days. Why will the trail be closed for almost 2 months? Is there anyone at the city who is capable of coming up with a solution to this problem? on Facebook Share Could you please share the alternative routes that were investigated...and also let us know why they were found to not be reasonable and not to be safe? When were these options looked into? 3 different concrete pours, 7 days apart, equals 21 days. Why will the trail be closed for almost 2 months? Is there anyone at the city who is capable of coming up with a solution to this problem? on Twitter Share Could you please share the alternative routes that were investigated...and also let us know why they were found to not be reasonable and not to be safe? When were these options looked into? 3 different concrete pours, 7 days apart, equals 21 days. Why will the trail be closed for almost 2 months? Is there anyone at the city who is capable of coming up with a solution to this problem? on Linkedin Email Could you please share the alternative routes that were investigated...and also let us know why they were found to not be reasonable and not to be safe? When were these options looked into? 3 different concrete pours, 7 days apart, equals 21 days. Why will the trail be closed for almost 2 months? Is there anyone at the city who is capable of coming up with a solution to this problem? link

    Could you please share the alternative routes that were investigated...and also let us know why they were found to not be reasonable and not to be safe? When were these options looked into? 3 different concrete pours, 7 days apart, equals 21 days. Why will the trail be closed for almost 2 months? Is there anyone at the city who is capable of coming up with a solution to this problem?

    Bryank80 asked almost 5 years ago

    Bryan, the only alternative route that did not include a crossing of the Church Ditch was the detour to Washington Avenue. We did not explore, in depth, routes that required a crossing prior to this week because getting permission to cross the ditch from the ditch company would require an engineered submittal that was considered to be time and cost prohibitive to the City.  

    The construction of the cast in place culvert includes more than three concrete pours and the associated cure time for each pour.  Other stages of construction include excavation, backfill,  compaction and testing, followed by asphalt paving and trail repair.  Two months is a worst case scenario that takes into account winter construction delays.  We will continue to work with the contractor to expedite construction to the extent possible.