CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Kipling Walls
Construction of the Kipling MSE walls is progressing rapidly. The low level walls on the east side are in place and crews have moved to the west side to begin the same process. While walls are being placed on the west side of Kipling Street, construction of the Pikeview tunnel will begin on the east side. This tunnel will go under the light rail tracks and provide access for bikes and pedestrians. Construction equipment will continue to move in and out of the staging areas at the intersection of Lakewood Heights Drive and Kipling Street and at the corner of Pikeview and 13th Avenue.

Lakewood Dry Gulch
Crews have begun preparing the gulch area to straighten out the oxbow channel. This area of the gulch is called the oxbow by virtue of its U-shaped bend. When seen from the air, it resembles the old oxbow used on oxen for plowing fields.

The old bridges have been demolished and the area has been cleared of vegetation. Current construction activities include excavation, leveling and grading and permanent improvements to the storm sewer system. Once these upgrades are complete, crews will begin placing retaining walls adjacent to the new light rail bridges.

The above ground portion (superstructure) of the pedestrian bridges at Tennyson Street and Hazel Court are being fabricated off site and placement is expected in early summer.

Storm Sewer/Storm Drainage Upgrades
Crews completed improvements to the storm drainage system on Pierce Street and have moved to the Jefferson County Government Center. Work on Earl Johnson Road and the Government Center is being done during evening hours to minimize impacts to visitors. This activity will continue through the month of March. Asphalt paving on Earl Johnson Road will require a weekend closure between 6th Avenue and 10th Avenue on March 14th and 15th.

DTCG and the City of Golden will close Earl Johnson Road from April 1, 2009 through May 31, 2009 for continued improvements in that area. Always check the Road Closures page of the West Corridor Web site for closures that may affect you.

Crews will begin reconstruction of the water line under Knox Court on the 23rd of March. This activity will require the complete closure of Knox Court from 10th Avenue to 13th Avenue. The closure will remain in effect through July. RTD and Denver Public School buses have been rerouted to bypass this closure.

Utility Relocations
Qwest, Comcast and Xcel Energy continue their relocation activities along the light rail line. To see a current schedule of their utility relocations, click here.

 

TREES IN PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY

Trees in the public right-of-way must be removed, not only for the configuration of the West Corridor Light Rail line but also for construction purposes. Click on  the West Corridor Tree Removal Fact Sheet to review the  long and short-term reasons for tree removal.

In early March, Denver Transit Construction Group began identification of trees and vegetation that must be removed. Trees requiring removal have been marked with a green “X”. Once marked, public notification to neighboring residents via door hanger was made. Trees between Oak Street and Sheridan Boulevard have been marked and crews will begin removing them from west to east on March 17, 2009. Upon removal, crews will stockpile the cuttings and plan to make mulch and firewood, which will be available to residents along the corridor. Please check the West Corridor Web site often for updates on the plan for mulch and firewood disbursement.
 

PERMANENT STREET CLOSURES

Due to safety and operational issues, several permanent street closures in Lakewood will take place as the West Corridor Light Rail line is implemented. The permanent closures include the light rail trackway (approx 13th Avenue) at Marshall, Otis, Vance, Allison, Brentwood, Holland and Nelson. These streets will be closed across the light rail trackway, but automobiles will still be able to access 13th Avenue in areas where the street runs prior to the tracks.

Denver Transit Construction Group anticipates the closure of these streets in early summer. Construction activities will require truck and heavy equipment access to the right-of-way, and closing these streets in advance minimizes some of the traffic impacts expected along 13th Avenue. Signs will be placed indicating the intent to close prior to the actual closures.

To see final plans of permenent street closures, click here.

HOW CAN I GET (OR STAY) INVOLVED?

One of the best ways to get the latest information on the West Corridor construction phase is to ensure we have your e-mail address. Our periodic e-mails will provide you with information essential to being an active participant. As the project evolves and develops, it will be important to keep all members of the community informed on construction activities. Tell your friends and neighbors to sign up on our e-mail list to receive up-to-date information, and if your e-mail address changes, please notify us.

Don’t forget to visit our Web site where you’ll find all the latest information about the West Corridor.