January 11, 2007
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE AT
W. 62ND AVENUE AND WARD ROAD
ARVADA – Following extensive analysis of new and existing traffic data, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), in consultation with the City of Arvada, has determined a solution to improve safety and mobility at the intersection of W. 62nd Avenue and Ward Road (State Highway 72), the site of a tragic crash on September 8, 2007 that took the lives of three teenagers.
As a result of new and existing data, CDOT will move forward with the design and construction of a project that will restrict movements at the intersection. The project will install raised traffic islands on W. 62nd Avenue at both the eastbound and westbound approaches to Ward Road. These islands will prohibit traffic in both directions of W. 62nd Avenue from making left turns onto Ward Road and also from crossing over Ward Road. Only right turns from W. 62nd Avenue to Ward Road will be allowed. Left turns will still be allowed from both northbound and southbound Ward Road onto eastbound and westbound W. 62nd Avenue.
A traffic safety study conducted over a two-week period in October supports the fact that while few vehicles cross Ward Road on W. 62nd Avenue, there is a pattern of accidents related to those vehicles. The study further demonstrates that the major traffic movement at the intersection is the northbound and southbound left turns from Ward Road to W. 62nd Avenue.
“In addition to the traffic study, past data indicates a pattern of broadside accidents at the intersection with the majority of the accidents occurring as a result of eastbound or westbound W. 62nd Avenue vehicles making a through or left turn movement,” said CDOT Traffic Engineer Tony DeVito. “Of all potential solutions, the planned improvements not only address the accident patterns the best, but may also reduce the number of serious accidents by nearly 50%.”
In the last five years, there have been 25 accidents at this intersection and of those; nine were broadside accidents. In addition, over half of the accidents were a result of motorists trying to cross Ward Road or trying to make a left turn.
“By eliminating the problematic movements at the intersection, we can address the safety issues without adversely impacting traffic on Ward Road,” added DeVito. “Additionally, impacts to local traffic are minimal and can be absorbed at the nearby signalized intersections at Ward Road/W. 58th Avenue and Ward Road/W. 64th Avenue. For this reason, we have decided on this solution rather than installing a traffic signal, which would have impacted the flow of traffic, possibly creating other safety issues at the intersection.”
CDOT is currently designing the safety improvement project and construction should begin in late spring or early summer 2008. The estimated cost of the improvements is $75,000. CDOT will fund and construct the project.