West Jewell Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge
A proposed bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Santa Fe Drive/US 85 and the adjacent freight railroad and RTD light rail tracks near West Jewell Avenue has been more than a decade in the making. The need for a safe, grade separated crossing to provide east-to-west connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists is identified in several City plans, and this high-priority project received funding through the City and County of Denver’s 2017 Elevate Denver Bond Program.
The primary scope of work includes building a 370-foot span, 30-foot-high and 12-foot-wide pedestrian bridge structure over Santa Fe Drive and the adjacent freight railroad and RTD light rail tracks.
Bridge landings will be added on both sides of the Santa Fe Drive corridor on West Jewell Avenue, along with new ADA ramps, lighting, landscaping and drainage improvements.
Project Closures
Evans Avenue Off-Ramp
- The southbound Santa Fe Drive off-ramp to West Evans Avenue will be fully closed from 12 a.m. on Saturday, July 11 to Friday, Sept. 11, with detours posted.
- Local & Overland Golf Course Access: Exit southbound Santa Fe Drive at West Florida Avenue, head west to Platte River Drive, south to West Evans Avenue, east to South Huron Street, and north to the golf course (or to access adjacent residential side streets).
- Other Recommended Detour Routes: Motorists can exit Santa Fe Drive at West Florida Avenue to take Platte River Drive south to West Evans Avenue, or continue south on Santa Fe Drive and take either the West Dartmouth Avenue or West Hampden Avenue exits to bypass the closure.
- Please refer to the map for the closure location and recommended detour routes.
- Other detour routes do exist.
- Delays can be expected.
Message boards, signs and construction devices will be present to alert the public to the ramp closure and detour routes.
West Jewell Avenue at South Santa Fe Drive
Starting on Monday, April 27 and lasting until late July, West Jewell Avenue at South Santa Fe Drive will be closed for assembly of the main bridge span for the West Jewell Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge project in south Denver.
Traffic Impacts & Detour Routes
During the full closure of West Jewell Avenue, the following traffic impacts and detour routes will be in place:
- Access to West Jewell Avenue at South Santa Fe Drive as well as two blocks west to South Fox Street will be closed from April 27 to late July
- The right turn lane from southbound Santa Fe Drive onto West Jewell Avenue will also be closed at the approach to the work zone
- Overland Golf Course Access: Access to the golf course will be via West Evans Avenue to Huron Street, with detour signs posted
- Local Access: Local traffic will be directed to West Evans Avenue to access West Jewell Avenue via Asbury, Elati, Fox, Galapago or Huron streets, with detour signs in place
- Local delivery/trash access will be maintained
- No on-street parking will be permitted on West Jewell Avenue within the closure area from Santa Fe Drive through South Fox Street
- Message boards, signs and devices will be posted to alert the public to the closure, restrictions, and detour routes.
- Please refer to the map for the closure location and recommended detour routes
Detour Map:
Construction Progress & Planned Work
SSince the last update, crews started to assemble sections of the west bridge span within the closed area of West Jewell Avenue. Other work included pouring the deck and walls for the east side approach structure's upper middle level, and starting formwork for the bottom of the top level.
Planned work until Friday, July 10 includes finishing the assembly of the west bridge span and installing roof panels within the closed area of West Jewell Avenue. Other scheduled work activities on the east side approach structure include pouring the deck, walls and ramp for the bottom of the structure's top level and preparing for the upcoming July 11-12 placement of the spans over Santa Fe Drive. Please refer to the Travel Advisory above for traffic impacts over this weekend period.
View of the west bridge span assembly
View of the west side approach structure
Views of the progress on the east side approach structure
Planned Improvements
- Bridge providing improved safety and mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists between Pasquinel's Landing park, the Platte River Trail and south Broadway corridors
- ADA-compliant design
- Better bicycle connection to RTD’s Evans Station
- Bridge landings on both sides of Santa Fe Drive
- Associated landscaping improvements
- Engineering design coordination with the Iowa Underpass Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements project
Project Benefits
- Connects neighborhoods on the east side of Santa Fe Drive (Overland, Platte Park, Rosedale, University and Washington Park) with the South Platte River Trail and neighborhoods on the west side (Overland, Ruby Hill, College View and southwest Denver)
- Seamless connection to the upcoming multi-use path on Santa Fe Dr/US85 between Florida Ave. and Jewell Ave.
- Better connectivity between transportation and recreational resources
- Improves public safety and access
Project Map
Project Background and Materials
Jewell Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Conceptual Alignment and Constraints Design Analysis Report(PDF, 3MB)
The Jewell Avenue pedestrian bridge has been recommended in previous planning studies to improve multimodal connections within the greater Evans Station area. In 2019, DOTI staff conducted an analysis to understand existing conditions and neighborhood changes near the Jewell Avenue alignment to confirm project scope and develop concept designs to addresses area issues and constraints. This report summarizes existing conditions, issues, and constraints that will inform conceptual design alternatives and evaluation criteria.
Public Meeting Archive
A community open house was held on March 16, 2023 to learn more about the design of this bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Santa Fe Drive/US 85 near West Jewell Avenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the planning process for this project looked like?
Numerous studies from the last decade address the need for a bike and pedestrian bridge at Jewell Ave across Santa Fe Dr. The 2019 Bridge Conceptual Alignment and Constraints Design Analysis Report gathered data and input from the community and various government agencies to identify a preferred alternative for the bridge.
Throughout the design phase and construction activities, Denver will continue to coordinate with railroad officials, and federal, state and local agencies that will be impacted by this bridge project.
What are the funding sources for this project?
The project is part of the Elevate Denver Bond Program: a 10-year, $937 million general obligation bond program approved by voters in 2017. The Elevate Denver program will enhance the City and County of Denver by providing critical improvements to the City’s infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, parks, recreation centers, libraries, cultural centers, public-owned buildings and safety facilities.
In 2022, this project received additional funding through the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Fiscal Year 2022-2025 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) grant.
Why does the preferred alternative include ramps and not elevators?
Ramps are safer, more cost effective and easier to maintain than elevators.
How tall will this bridge be?
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad requires bridges over its tracks to be 23 ½ feet above the rail so that it doesn’t impede with safety and freight operations.
RTD requires 4 feet of clearance over the electrified catenary line above their tracks. At its highest point, the bridge will be 30 feet above these tracks.
How will the City prevent vandalism and misuse of the bridge?
To promote safety, the bridge will be well lit and designed with a clear line of sight to travel throughout the community. To help deter vandalism, an anti-graffiti coating is being considered.
Will the bridge be accessible to people with various mobility restrictions?
The bridge and the ramps leading to it will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA-compliant railings will be put in place to improve accessibility to the bridge.
What is being considered to prevent people from throwing things off of the bridge?
In the interest of public safety and to avoid disrupting freight train and RTD operations, the project team is considering a number of ramp barriers, including plexiglass or tightly-woven fencing.
Will there be public art or other aesthetic features to enhance the bridge?
Yes, one percent of all capital improvement projects with funding greater than $1 million goes towards public art. This includes the Jewell/Evans Bridge project. The Arts and Venues Department will coordinate the public art project. Typically, community members will be given an opportunity to participate on the committee to select the artist.
How will this project improve connectivity between US-85/Santa Fe Drive and the southwest rail system?
The project will provide critical regional bike and pedestrian trail linkage and east-west connectivity between transportation and recreational resources. Neighborhoods to the east (Overland, Platte Park, Rosedale, University, Washington Park) will have access to the South Platte River Trail/Ruby Hill Park and neighborhoods to the west (Overland, Ruby Hill, College View and southwest Denver) will have access to the RTD Evans Station.
Can the western approach be located north of Jewell?
No. The option of locating the western approach north of Jewell Avenue was investigated early in the design process but not pursued. There were too many negative impacts to neighboring properties, regional trail connectivity and mobility access, safety and visibility.
Because of this, the preferred alternative locates the western approach to the south of Jewell Avenue.
Why is the eastern approach ramp triangular instead of diamond shaped?
A triangular-shaped spiral structure for the eastern approach ramp will use existing space more efficiently, maximize ADA accessibility, provide comfort and openness to all users, and minimize ramp steepness over other shapes.
When will the project be finished?
Project completion is scheduled for early 2027.
How do I learn more about the project or contact the project team?