“Final Link” Bike Path Opens through Genesee Park

JEFFERSON COUNTY — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Jefferson County, the City of Denver, the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation and various other entities and bicycling organizations celebrated the grand opening of the Interstate 70 Bike Path between the Genesee Park interchange and Evergreen Parkway today. 

Completion of the 2.4-mile concrete trail is the final link of the “off I-70” bike trail system between the Denver area and a point west of Glenwood Springs.  Prior to the trail’s opening, cyclists would need to use the right shoulder of I-70 to travel between Genesee and Evergreen Parkway.  Now they are able to use old highways, frontage roads and bike trails to travel the entire 150 miles. 

“Safety was the primary impetus for building this trail,” said CDOT Executive Director Shailen Bhatt.  “Taking a bicyclist off the interstate system will always enhance safety, not just for the cyclist, but for motorists as well.  In addition, constructing this facility underscores CDOT’s commitment to provide our citizens with other transportation options.” 

Construction of the $2.4 million trail began in October 2015.  The 10-foot wide path includes a 120-foot bridge over the buffalo crossing and path “pull-outs” in steeper grade areas, allowing it to comply with ADA standards, reduce costs and save some signature trees. 

“Since 2004, the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation has been working with the Denver Department of Parks and Recreation to restore and increase awareness of the historic Denver Mountain Parks system. We provide funding and advocacy, and as a result, these parks are experiencing a revitalization,” said Chairman of the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation W. Bart Berger.  “As an integral part of that, we encourage collaborative and integrative projects with Mountain Parks, Jefferson County and CDOT. This new connecting trail segment is a splendid example of that, and how, by working together, the whole can be truly greater than the sum of its parts.”

PARTNERING COMPLETED THE FINAL LINK

Construction

Transportation Alternative Program: $2.4 million

TAP provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities

FASTER Safety: $640,000

Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery – is financed by vehicle registration fees.  FASTER safety funds can be used to enhance the safety of bicycle/pedestrian facilities. 

Jefferson County: $120,000

Denver Parks: Donated right-of-way and assisted with tree removal

“Without these partnerships, we couldn’t have completed this path,” added Bhatt.  “A big thank you goes out to the City of Denver and its parks department, the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation, and Jefferson County.”

Hamilton Construction Company of Golden, CO. was the project’s prime contractor.