RTD Has Big Plans for the 15L Route Improvement Project

The 15/15L bus routes along East Colfax traditionally serve over 20,000 customers per day, the same ridership level as some of RTD’s rail lines. To enhance the customer experience along this busy corridor, RTD is upgrading 15L stops between Broadway and I-225 to include shelters with lighting and security cameras. Other upgrades like queue bypass lanes, transit signal priority and bus bulbs in key locations will also enhance the customer experience by improving operations. Street and sidewalk construction was completed in 2020 and the installation of bus shelters and additional amenities is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. Together with the Colfax Corridor BRT Project, these improvements will transform the future of East Colfax transit services.

Bus Stop Improvements

15L bus stops will include enhanced shelters with transparent weather protection, benches and trash receptacles. Most stops will include security cameras, lighting and lit map/schedule displays. There will also be Programmable Information Display Systems (PIDS) at stops with the highest number of boardings and transfers.

15L Route Improvements Project Bus Stop Amenities

Operational Improvements

• Bus bulbs (curb extensions) at 11 stops will provide more customer waiting space and reduce service delays by allowing buses to stop in the travel lane instead of having to pull to the curb.

• Transit Signal Priority (TSP) at 12 intersections in Denver will provide longer green lights for buses to progress along Colfax.

• Queue bypass lanes at four intersections allow buses to share a right turn-only lane and bypass general purpose traffic waiting at a red light.

Travel Impacts

• Bus service: Temporary bus stop closures are expected during shelter installations. Adjacent stops in the same direction will not be closed at the same time. To receive closure updates, sign up for RTD Rider Alerts.

• Pedestrian access: Sidewalks near bus stops may be closed during shelter installations. A signed detour route will be provided for temporary sidewalk closures.

• Lane closures: Parking and lane closures are anticipated during shelter installation.
  

More information, renderings and a way to comment on the improvements can be found at https://www.rtd-denver.com/projects/15l-improvement-project

Bring Your Own Bag Program

To reduce the number of disposable carryout bags used, littered, and landfilled, Denver is introducing a fee on disposable bags and the Bring Your Own Bag program. The program encourages shoppers to switch to reusable bags and requires retail stores in Denver to charge 10 cents for each disposable bag (plastic, paper, or other material including but not limited to compostable material) provided to customers at checkout starting on July 1, 2021.

Together we can reduce waste, prevent litter, and protect our rivers and streams.

What you need to know:

• Retail stores located in Denver will be required to charge 10 cents per carryout bag.

• Shoppers can avoid the bag fee by bringing their own bags.

• The bag fee will not apply to some bags such as those used to package bulk items, produce, meat, or fish.

• Participants in state and federal Food Assistance Programs will not be charged for carryout bags.

• Charges for bags must be displayed separately on customer receipts.

• Portions of the bag fee will be kept by the store to cover the cost of implementing the program and by the city to address the impacts of disposable bags and single-use products in our community.

• The City of Denver and its partners will give away reusable bags while supplies last starting in June 2021.

• For more details about the Bring Your Own Bag program, please review our Frequently Asked Questions for shoppers and retailers.

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "The risk of infection by the virus from food products, food packaging, or bags is thought to be very low." For more information, visit the Reusable Bag Safety section.

You can find more information at DenverGov.org/BringYourOwnBag or by emailing your questions to sustainability@denvergov.org.

City Looks for Citizen Input on New Transportation Vision

Denver Moves Everyone 2050 will identify equitable and safe solutions for the movement of people and goods, ensuring Denverites have access to what they need

Denver – Denver is kicking off a strategic transportation plan, called Denver Moves Everyone 2050 (DME) and is seeking community feedback through an online engagement tool: denvermoveseveryone.com. This feedback will set the foundation for the project by identifying community values that will inform the goals of the plan.

“The last time Denver completed a strategic transportation plan was in 2008. Since then, there have been significant changes in and around the city including population growth, growing safety challenges, evolving needs to move freight and people efficiently, emerging technologies and growing inequities,” explained Eulois Cleckley, Executive Director of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI). “We recognize the evolution of Denver over the past 13 years. That’s why we are excited to create this inclusive, future-focused, visionary plan.”

DME will build upon the extensive work completed for the Denveright Comprehensive Plan 2040, developing a transportation plan that aligns future investments with community-developed mobility goals.

There are four major phases of the two-year DME project. Each phase will build on the next to ultimately identify near-, mid- and long-term projects. The project will be guided by community feedback coupled with knowledge and insight from industry leaders in transportation, energy, education, health and wellness and many more—a comprehensive approach to include all voices in the development of the plan.

“Transportation plays a key role in improving people’s quality of life. We want to ensure all voices are at the table and are engaged throughout this project,” said Cleckley.

To learn more, get involved, and provide feedback about what transportation means to your community, visit www.bit.ly/denvermoveseveryone

About Denver Moves Everyone (DME) 2050: DME is a two-year project to develop a visionary, citywide strategic transportation plan, with a keen focus on developing community-driven goals. ​The plan will prioritize equitable and safe transportation and mobility solutions for Denverites and seek to improve the movement of goods and services ensuring access to everything people need.