Nine Mile Bridge Construction and Design Enhancements

Project Update (as of Feb. 21, 2025)

The city is leading design and construction work on a pedestrian bridge over Parker Road near Interstate 225 to connect the RTD Nine Mile Station with homes and businesses on the north side of Parker Road. The bridge will provide improved regional multi-modal connectivity, enable people to cross safely over Parker Road and improve traffic flow along this major metro-area corridor. Initial federal funding awarded in 2019 has enabled this long-desired project to move forward.

Due to significant construction cost increases and market conditions, the project was put on hold in late 2022 after receiving bids for construction that exceeded the project budget. Since that time, the city has taken a dual approach to raise additional funding and align the scope of the project to meet the new budget. The final plans for the redesign are anticipated to be complete this summer (2025), with construction starting in the late fall or winter (2025).

Integrated Design Enhancements

Aurora’s Art in Public Places Program (AIPP) committed funding to maximize this gateway opportunity to celebrate those qualities and experiences that make Aurora unique. Seattle based designer/infrastructure specialist Vicki Scuri was selected through the city’s community-based selection process managed by AIPP, to create integrated design enhancements for the bridge. Through a community engagement process in 2021, Vicki gathered information about the values and interests of Aurora’s residents, and particularly those who live and work in the areas surrounding this bridge project. Community members provided input into the enhancements and the results integrate the color palette and environment of the prairie with Aurora’s diverse populations represented through several languages. Thank you to all who contributed to that process. The entire bridge project was paused, and when it was reactivated Vicki honored that original contextual design process by integrating the original concepts into the context of the new bridge structure. Any additional updates will be posted here.