Karen Gerrity, Town of Nederland Administrator. The Town of Nederland received a grant for 1.5 million dollars from CDOT’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in September of 2019. The grant is a mix of state and federal funds that targets multimodal projects that promote alternative transportation, pedestrian travel, regional connectivity, and economic vitality.
Over the past several months Town Staff has presented the project to Nederland’s Advisory Boards including: Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB), Parks, Recreation, Open Space Advisory Board (PROSAB), Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA), the Nederland Planning Commission, and Nederland’s Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for project feedback.
The components of Nederland’s project consist of a sidewalk on West First Street connecting RTD Park-n-Ride with the Visitor’s Center and on Jefferson Street adjacent to the Kathmandu Plaza, a high-speed electric vehicle charging station, bike racks, rain garden/planter, and wayfinding signage. Additionally, part of the project includes burying overhead powerlines in this section of town. This project is in collaboration with the Nederland Downtown Development Authority to also include repaving the Visitor’s Center Parking Lot and North Jefferson Street. Some of the changes being considered include:
Expanded ADA compliant sidewalks for safer pedestrian travel.
Changing traffic patterns in the area to one way travel to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.
Raised crosswalk for traffic calming and pedestrian safety.
Eliminating main overhead power lines on West First Street.
Reconfiguring parking on Jefferson Street to angled parking.
Wayfinding signage will be added in collaboration with PROSAB, NDDA, and SAB.
Space for Public Art is being considered.
Additional bicycle parking to be added.
High speed EV charging station will be added to the Visitor’s Center Parking Lot.
The NDDA is also considering developing parking on West First Street as a potential addition to the project. The latest design concept shows this additional component being considered. Elements of this draft design are based on Town planning documents and input received from Town Advisory Boards, property owners, business owners, as well as regulatory funding requirements.
Staff will present the final concept to Nederland’s Board of Trustees for approval at their February 16, 2021, meeting. Construction for burying utilities is being proposed for spring with other construction following after.
Please reach out to Nederland’s Public Works Manager, Chris Pelletier, for any questions or comments at chrisp@nederlandco.org.
Project updates can also be found on the Town’s website at: https://nederlandco.org/tips/
(Originally published in the January 28, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)