EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. Parker Jordan Metropolitan District I Pedestrian Bridge at Arapahoe Rd. Phase I Page 2

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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Project Urgency Of all the questions that arise about the Regional Trail, the number one question is When will the Regional Trail connect on the south side of Sate Park, south of Arapahoe Road? Dealing with the Arapahoe Road Bridge gap in the Cherry Creel Regional Trail is one of the most challenging sections that remain in the completion of the Colorado Front Range Trail. Due to topography, jurisdictional issues, costs, leadership and other logistical issues, this project area has remained a bottleneck in an otherwise exquisite public amenity. In the early 1990 s a group of dedicated and concerned trail enthusiasts came together to address this section of the missing trail. Funds were raised, meetings were held, agreements were crafted, and design and engineering work began, but due to unknown circumstances this worthy effort fell through and the momentum that had been achieved came to a halt. Today, fifteen years later, a new group of dedicated individuals and agencies are positioning themselves to accomplish this major and urgent task. Feasibility Study- Solution On May 7, 2008, Arapahoe County was awarded a grant from the Colorado State Parks Trails Program for completion of a feasibility study. The main objective of this feasibility study was to develop a strategy for a permanent Regional Trail route that connects across Arapahoe Road with a grade-separated crossing that will minimize conflicts between trail users and motor vehicle traffic along Arapahoe Road and connect to the current trail switchback located just west of north of Arapahoe Road. The feasibility study identifies the major constraints and challenges to the design, approval, and construction of a bridge underpass under Arapahoe Road, including appropriate approach routes for the trail, because the bridge s original design did not take into consideration the need for a major trail crossing. The study began on October 1, 2008 and was completed in January of (Please refer to the Trail at Arapahoe Road Feasibility Study, January 2009.) The City of Aurora approved Cornerstar, Alberta Development Partners mixed-use development, at the southwest corner of Arapahoe Road and Parker Road. As part of this development, Alberta constructed part of the Cherry Creek Regional Trail between the Valley Ecological Park and Arapahoe Road just east of the Arapahoe Road Bridge. The completion of this new trail segment leaves the typical trail user with a dilemma at this interim terminus: What does the trail connect to when you arrive at Arapahoe Road? Some users will choose to travel east along Arapahoe Road on a newly constructed sidewalk to Parker Road and the Town of Foxfield. For those choosing to go west, the pedestrian crossing on the Arapahoe Road Bridge is daunting and there are no new sidewalks proposed or called for west of the bridge. The feasibility study looks at extending the Regional Trail west along the south side of the Cherry Creek Soccer Complex, then turning north along the west side of the Soccer Complex, crossing over with the pedestrian bridge, then continuing north under Arapahoe Road and tying into the existing Regional Trail on the north side of Arapahoe Road (please refer to the project site plan on page 31, called SHEET EX 1 OPTION 1). Rational For Funding The Parker Jordan Metropolitan District has agreed to take the first steps in this effort by making a major commitment of their time and money to achieve a critical component of this trail connection, the pedestrian bridge. They are not doing this independent of the rest of the project but to create an impetus for other project stakeholders to step up and contribute to the project success. Once those other partners take their part and the project is clearly underway, the timing and coordination for the entire project will be transferred to the Cherry Creek Basin Working Group which includes all of the agencies represented in the Basin. Parker Jordan Metropolitan District is requesting funding through this grant application for the design, permitting, and construction of the proposed pedestrian bridge that will cross over, south of Arapahoe Road. Pending further studies (geotechnical study and hydraulic analysis), the proposed pedestrian bridge will be very similar to the one currently located just north of Broncos Parkway in the Valley Ecological Park (please refer to Appendix C-Pedestrian Bridge Photos on page 36). The pedestrian bridge, trail extension, and Parker Jordan Metropolitan District I Pedestrian Bridge at Arapahoe Rd. Phase I Page 2

2 Arapahoe Road underpass are the three major components to the permanent Regional Trail route that will connect across Arapahoe Road with a grade-separated crossing. The pedestrian bridge will be the catalyst for the other components of the entire project. Since the cost of designing, permitting, and constructing such a pedestrian bridge is very expensive. Phase I of this project will include the design, permitting and the down payment and initial construction costs of the pedestrian bridge. Two-thirds of the total pedestrian bridge costs, $312,500, are included in Phase 1. The design and permitting portion of Phase I will be completed by 2010 (within one year of receiving funding). Future funding for the remaining construction costs of the pedestrian bridge will be sought from additional sources prior to Phase II, expected to take place in summer/fall of The remaining one-third of the total pedestrian bridge costs, $164,000, will be Phase II. All construction is anticipated to be completed by There are multiple reports and plans such as the City of Aurora s 2007 Parks and Open Space Framework Master Plan, the City of Aurora s 2003 Comprehensive Plan, Arapahoe County s 2001 Comprehensive Plan, the City of Centennial s Parks, Open Space, Trails and Recreation Master Plan and the Colorado State Park s Colorado Front Range Trail Project - Revised Priority Segments for the Colorado Front Range Trail 12/12/06 that support and outline the necessity of creating links to open spaces and parks with the use of trail systems. This particular portion of the Regional Trail system is called out in many of the reports, plans and/or studies just mentioned. Since numerous governmental agencies have responsibilities within this particular area, Parker Jordan Metropolitan District is confident that the remaining necessary funding for the construction of the pedestrian bridge will be obtained by the time of scheduled construction. The anticipated future partners for the entire project (the construction of the pedestrian bridge, the trail extension, and the Arapahoe Road underpass) are anticipated to include, but not limited to, Arapahoe County, City of Aurora, City of Centennial, Colorado State Parks, Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD), Arapahoe County Water and Waste Water Authority (ACWWA), Alberta Development Partners, and others. Future construction funding may also be sought after through The State Trails Grant Program, Great Outdoors Colorado Grant Program, Federal Transportation Funds (SAFETEA), private foundations such as the Anschutz Foundation and the Denver Greenway Foundation. Applicant Determination The Parker Jordan Metropolitan District has been involved in multiple projects along the Corridor. One example of such projects is the Broncos Parkway Trailhead Project. The experience that has been gained from the design and development process of the trailhead project is invaluable and has direct application to future projects in the Drainage Corridor. Because the feasibility study that outlines all of the permitting and reports that will be needed for the design and permitting of the bridge has been completed and because the pedestrian bridge project is contained on one piece of property, as opposed to multiple properties with multiple owners, it is expected that the pedestrian bridge project will be completed in an efficient and timely manner. The challenges experienced on the Broncos Parkway Trailhead Project are a testament to Parker Jordan Metropolitan District s tenacity by moving ahead on the pedestrian bridge project. The District has not and will not be deterred by complications, because as challenging as these projects can be, is it the only way the Regional Trail can connect through this reach. Conclusion The design and construction of the pedestrian bridge south of Arapahoe Road will help provide a much needed missing link in the Regional Trail System and the Statewide Colorado Front Range Trail. The pedestrian bridge will help remedy the accessibility deficiency that currently exists in the regional trail for the communities to the south of State Park. State Park is one of Arapahoe County s largest open space parks and its largest outdoor recreation area. Regionally, the pedestrian bridge will help close one of the few remaining gaps in the 39-mile stretch of the Regional Trail that connects to Confluence Park (north in Denver) down to Castlewood Canyon State Park (south in Douglas County). The pedestrian bridge will be the catalyst for the regional trail extension and Arapahoe Road underpass. This missing link of the Regional Trail is very important and a high priority among many of the surrounding jurisdictions, including the Colorado State Parks. This initial funding for the design, permitting and construction of the pedestrian bridge will begin to move this very high priority and very desirable project forward. Parker Jordan Metropolitan District I Pedestrian Bridge at Arapahoe Rd. Phase I Page 3

3 Part I BUDGET (PHASE I) Sources of Funds Date County Grant Request Cash Match In-Kind Match Total Project Funds Arapahoe County Open Space, Parks & Trails Grant Feb. 6, 2009 $250,000 $250,000 Parker Jordan Metropolitan District Feb. 6, 2009 $ 62,500 $ 62,500 Totals - Sources of Funds $250,000 $ 62,500 $312,500 Uses of Funds Expenditures Projected Date From County Grant Cash Match In-Kind Total Project Costs Match 1. Design/Permitting Review Fees Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $2,300 $2, Permitting (Delineation, Habitat Assessment, Correspondence, etc.) Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $5,750 $5,750 Design Survey Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $3,450 $3,450 Geotechnical Study Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $12,075 $12,075 Hydraulic Analysis Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $28,750 $28,750 Storm Water Management Plan Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $11,500 $11,500 Pedestrian Bridge Design CD (Abutments, Footings, etc.) Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $11,500 $11,500 Pedestrian Bridge Approach CD (Decorative Concrete Columns, Concrete Apron, etc.) Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $5,750 $5, General Construction Surveying Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $2,300 $2,300 Testing Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $4,600 $4, Site Work Mobilization Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $5,750 $5,750 Clearing & Grubbing Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $6,900 $6,900 Erosion Control Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $2,300 $2, Pedestrian Bridge Dewatering for Pedestrian Bridge Abutments & Footings Installation Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $5,750 $5,750 Bridge Foundation/Caissons (20 Depth) Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $9,200 $9,200 Bridge Abutments Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $11,500 $11,500 Excavation & Hauling Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $690 $ Wide Pedestrian Bridge over (Materials by Contech) Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $128,305 $3,275 $131,580 Bridge installation (3-95 Spans) Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $5,750 $5,750 Concrete Bridge Deck (6 Thick Pumped Concrete) Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $19,665 $19,665 Bollards Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $3,680 $3,680 Concrete Approach 6 Thick Sidewalk Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $2,760 $2,760 Decorative Bridge Pilasters Feb 2009 Feb 2010 $18,400 $18,400 Required signage acknowledging grant from Arapahoe County OSPT at completion of project $ 600 required budget expense $ 600 required budget expense Totals - Project Costs (Phase I) $250,000 $62,500 $312,500 GRAND TOTALS IN FAR RIGHT COLUMN (Must equal county grant funds + cash match + in-kind match): $ 312,500 (Phase I) Authorized Signature: Date: Print Name: Bob Blodgett Title: Senior Manager, R.S. Wells L.L.C. Parker Jordan Metropolitan District Parker Jordan Metropolitan District I Pedestrian Bridge at Arapahoe Rd. Phase I Page 33

4 Appendix A PROJECT TIMELINE Studies, Permitting, Design Process of Pedestrian Bridge June 2009 through June 2010 Additional Funding Process June 2009 through June 2010 Coordination w/ Trail Extension & Road Underpass Projects January 2009 through Spring/Summer 2011 Construction Spring /Summer 2011 Parker Jordan Metropolitan District I Pedestrian Bridge at Arapahoe Rd. Phase I Page 34

5 Trail Connection HELENA PARKER ARAPAHOE New Trail Underpass DAWSON Pedestrian Bridge Approx. Length 225 Ft. New Trail Connection Segment Rest Stop Existing Trail EASTER JORDAN FREMONT EAGLE PRIVATE FREMONT FRASER Produced By: Arapahoe County Mapping Division E. Briarwood Ave., Ste. 100 Centennial, Co Ph: Legend Rest Stop EXISTING CHERRY CREEK TRAIL Printing Date: 01/26/2009 File: G:\DSIM\HE\MAPPING\GIS\Projects\OpenSpace\maps\trail_add_on_2C.mxd Feet General Disclaimer: Arapahoe County Makes No Representation Or Warranty As To The Accuracry Of This Base Map, And Assumes No Responsibility Or Liabaility To Any User. This Base map Is Not A Legal Document. It Is Intended To Serve As An Aid In Graphic Representation Only. PROPOSED TRAIL PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE