Major traffic flow changes coming to East Colfax

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Dramatic changes are coming to East Colfax Avenue that will permanently reduce traffic to just one lane in either direction. Bus lanes will be placed directly in the center of the heavily traveled stretch of road and construction is set to start next month.

Buses will soon be the kings of the road along the avenue. Vehicles will still be able to use the avenue, but only one lane in either direction. A Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) will be built directly in the middle of the roadway.

“They (buses) are going to be moving faster because having the station in the center of the road, it allows people to get on and off the road faster,” East Colfax Avenue BRT Project Director Jonathan Stewart said.

Different stretches of the BRT will stretch from Broadway Avenue to Yosemite Steet. Soon, there will only be one lane in either direction for vehicles.

Down at Capitol Hill Books near the state house, Holly Brooks is worried about the big changes coming to the street in front of the beloved store. She fears the few parking spaces available now will be gone.

“It’s going to be dreadful in terms of business,” Brooks said.

District 9 Council member Darrel Watson said he’s working with other council members to increase grant money for businesses that may struggle with the construction and changes.

“I will be working collaboratively to make sure we increase that investment from the city and make sure that we protect our small businesses to and through during this construction,” Watson said.

Back at Capitol Hill Books, Brooks isn’t sure what East Colfax’s next chapter holds for her iconic store.

“It’s going to make it (business) harder. It’s a little heartbreaking,” Brooks said.

The cost of the project is $280 million. A large chunk of that money is federal dollars. Construction is expected to last until 2027.

The city of Denver said similar projects are planned for Federal Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard.

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