Project Purpose

The purpose of the Federal Boulevard project is threefold:

•  To improve the safety and efficiency of the roadway;

•  To accommodate the transportation needs of area residents and existing businesses; and

•  To provide multi-modal travel options and connections along Federal Boulevard between Alameda and 6th Avenues.

Project Need

Improvements to Federal Boulevard are needed to correct existing and future safety concerns, existing and future congestion, existing roadway deficiencies, and to improve the connectivity of all transportation modes. Transportation needs typically fall into categories provided in technical guidance by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). For Federal Boulevard these categories are safety, capacity, roadway deficiencies and modal connectivity.

Safety

•  Accidents rates* involving property damage on Federal Boulevard are 9.54 accidents per million vehicle miles of travel compared to the statewide average of 2.61.

•  Accidents* rates involving injuries on Federal Boulevard are 3.29 accidents per million vehicle miles of travel compared to the statewide average of 0.97.

•  Accidents* rates involving fatalities on Federal Boulevard are 4.63 accidents per 100 million vehicle miles of travel compared to the statewide average of 1.29.

•  Northbound vehicular accidents are 30% higher than southbound vehicular accidents.

Capacity

•  By 2030, drivers at 3 of the 4 signalized intersections will experience delays of a minute or more.

•  By 2030, traffic volumes will exceed the roadway's capacity at 3 of the 4 signalized intersections.

•  By 2030, northbound traffic volumes will exceed the roadway's capacity at a higher level than southbound traffic volumes.

Roadway Deficiencies

•  The number and proximity of access points along Federal Boulevard increases the probability for accidents.

•  Highway industry guidelines caution the use of continuous two-way left turn lanes on roadways with five or more lanes.

•  Lane widths are substandard and inconsistent, varying from 9 feet to 11 feet.

•  Side streets are closely spaced and have off-set intersections.

•  Fixed objects (such as poles, curbs, signs) are located too close to the travel roadway.

•  Pedestrian and bicycle facilities such as sidewalks, identified pedestrian crossings, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps are insufficient.

Modal Connectivity

•  On-time performance for primary transit route is 78% compared to the industry standard of 90%, due in part to the existing congestion on Federal Boulevard .

•  The intersection of Federal Boulevard and Alameda Avenue is the third highest transfer location in the Regional Transportation District (RTD) system.

•  Route #30 Federal arrives every 10 minutes throughout the day.

•  Route #30 Federal has 59.4 boardings per hour, the 2 nd highest boarding rate of RTD's 35 mainline routes.

•  Every day, 1,200 people board buses on Federal Boulevard between Alameda and 6 th Avenues. Pedestrian infrastructure along the corridor, including to and from bus stops, is insufficient.