As a resident of southwest Longmont, I’m excited to see construction beginning on two underpasses that aim to increase safety for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Today, crossing at both Hover Street and SH 119 (Ken Pratt Boulevard) and Dry Creek Drive and Hover Street is a multi-step process involving up to nine lanes of traffic (depending on which direction you’re going). In addition to all these lanes of traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists encounter small, debris filled traffic islands, long wait times and high speed traffic.

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

This will soon change, though. Upon completion, two new underpasses will provide great connecting options for SH 119 (Ken Pratt Boulevard), Hover Street and the Left Hand and St. Vrain Greenways.

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

SH 119 (Ken Pratt Boulevard) and Hover Street

The critical pedestrian and bicycle underpass at SH 119 and Hover Street is a partnership between the City of Longmont, Boulder County and the Colorado Department of Transportation. This is one of the busiest intersections in Longmont and I think it’s one of the intersections most in need of improvements.

Building the underpass will provide an important piece of connecting infrastructure for Longmont’s bicycle and pedestrian systems. Construction began in May and is scheduled to be finished in spring 2017.

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

Hover Street and Dry Creek Drive

A second underpass is under construction just north on Hover Street at the intersection with Dry Creek Road. It will provide a safer and easier connection between the newly built Village at the Peaks and businesses on the west side of Hover Street and will also link to the Dry Creek Greenway Trail. Construction recently began on this project and it is also scheduled to be completed by early spring 2017.

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

What do you think?

These new underpasses aim to increase safety and create more convenient connections for pedestrians and bicyclists. My hope is that they will also lead to more of my neighbors taking trips by bike in Longmont.

Do you live near these projects? Will they make it safer and easier to get where you need to go on your bike? Tell us about it in the comments section.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]