Broadway NEPA Trigger Language 

(as endorsed by the Consensus Committee 4-19-2007) 

The intent of this trigger language is to preserve more pedestrian-oriented cross sections for Broadway and Mississippi for as long as possible while establishing a public process to address concerns if there are negative impacts from increasing vehicle traffic. 

For purposes of this “trigger language”, a major change shall be defined as a change that requires redesignation of any parking, travel or turn lanes, or removal of any medians or pedestrian bulbouts.  Minor changes are any other operational modification including changes to stop signs, traffic signals, etc. 

Prior to making a major change to the Broadway NEPA preferred alternative initial cross sections of Broadway or Mississippi, the City shall provide reasonable notice, ideally 3 months, to the impacted parties (including at least nearby Registered Neighborhood Organizations, Home Owners Associations, business districts, and adjacent property owners and residents).  In that three month period, the City will provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed changes and will work with the local Councilperson to hold a public hearing to discuss the identified problems, potential changes, and public concerns.  Where possible, the decision should consider the original purpose and need and screening criteria used to development the preferred alternative when deciding which, if any, adjustments should be made. 

The changes considered shall include at least: conversion of parking lanes to travel lanes; construction/adjustment of medians; and, operational modifications (e.g. changes to stop signs, traffic signals, or directional signage).  

Situations that will trigger a public process will include whenever a major change is deemed necessary due to:

• Queuing from a signalized intersection consistently, negatively impacting the operation of an adjacent signal;

OR

• A traffic study indicating that the streets listed below are regularly enduring regional cut-through traffic greater than the number of trips expected on those streets at that point in time
  • Louisiana between Broadway and Logan, or
  • Lincoln, Sherman, Grant and Arizona between Mississippi and Louisiana;

OR

• An impacted party’s report of a traffic or safety concern that the City Traffic Engineer investigates and subsequently determines is only addressable by a major change.

Denver will monitor traffic volumes as needed by placing traffic counters in the streets, typically every two years or when necessary to assess impacts of increased traffic.  This data is available to the public at www.denvergov.org/traffic count   

Nothing in this trigger language shall limit the City Traffic Engineer or Manager of Public Works responsibility to make critical adjustments within the right of way as they deem necessary.  If there is a need to make an immediate major change, the City will act immediately and provide information to the public about that change as soon as is reasonable.  Information about minor changes will be available upon request by contacting Denver Public Works.