18th, 19th, and Lincoln: Protected Bike Lanes and Transit Lanes

18^th and 19^th Streets in downtown Denver are important multimodal corridors, with several regular RTD routes and the Free MetroRide loop that connects Union Station with Civic Center Station. Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) finalized a street design to improve transit service with dedicated transit lanes on 18th, 19th and Lincoln, and added protected lanes for people on bikes.

This project will improve the efficiency of RTD services resulting in faster service with less delays and will support the goals of Vision Zero; to have zero deaths or serious injuries by 2030 regardless of the mode of transportation. Final design was completed in early 2021.  Construction began in Summer 2021 and the project was completed as of May 2022.

Benefits

Benefits for each mode of travel

Transit

• Faster travel times for the Free MetroRide Bus
• Reduced delays
• Increased reliability

Pedestrians

• Updated striping at crosswalks
• Street design that prioritizes safety

Bicycles & Scooters

• High comfort bike lane with greater separation from traffic
• Safer interactions with turning vehicles

Vehicles

• Increased predictability
• Safer interactions at intersections

Map

Project Area Map

Designs

Conceptual Designs

18th Street Proposed (top) and Existing (below)

19th Street Proposed (top) and Existing (below)

Lincoln Street Proposed (top) and Existing (below)