FAQs

A pedestrian bridge crossing Parker Road (State Highway 83) will provide safer access for pedestrians and bicyclists between the RTD Nine Mile Station and the residences and businesses on the north side of Parker Road—including The Point at Nine Mile transit-oriented development—which has been desired for years. The recommendation for a bridge also was included in the city's 2012 Nine Mile Station Area Plan to support anticipated redevelopment in the area. Redevelopment plans moved forward in 2017, and award of a federal grant in 2019 solidified the funding need to initiate the project.

A prefabricated steel truss bridge is currently in design. The proposed design of the bridge is to span Parker Road in a single span, with concrete decking, a roof and include a mix of polycarbonate resin and wire mesh panels and along the vertical walls of the bridge. The bridge will still have open/natural ventilation. A prefabricated bridge type was again selected; however, the new design will only include a thru-truss system while the steel arch design was removed for increased affordability. The bridge landings will be designed as separate structures from the bridge and will include stairs and concrete ramp systems with ADA compliance design. Elevators were also removed from the design due to affordability. The ramp and stair landing structures will be bicycle and pedestrian friendly but are considered with bicycle dismounting for travel and circulation safety. Check back to see any updates to design and overall progress throughout this exciting project.

Initially, the city received federal grant funds through the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOC) to help pay for the bridge design and construction with city capital improvement funding used as a match amount.  Additional funds were contributed from the city's Art in Public Places program (AIPP) to pay for aesthetic enhancements. Public outreach efforts in early 2021 provided some guidance on those elements.

For the redesign effort, additional funds from several sources are also being used to supplement the initial funding to help deliver the project. This city is contributing additional capital improvement, AIPP, and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The city has also been awarded additional Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding along with additional contributions from the adjacent “The Point at Nine Mile Station” development also forthcoming.

The city has a Complete Streets framework in place now, and the Nine Mile Bridge will help address the needs of all types of travelers, including pedestrians, bicyclists and those with mobility-assist devices.

The bridge redesign effort is underway with an anticipated completion in summer of 2025. Construction is anticipated to start late fall or winter of 2025.