City public‑works staff told Englewood City Council on Monday they will apply for the Colorado Department of Transportation’s off‑system bridge (BRO) grant to help fund a rehabilitation of the Union Avenue Bridge, and council confirmed staff should submit the application.

Director of Public Works Victor Rochelle and engineering manager Mike Roman said consultant SEH Engineers completed a lifecycle analysis in 2024 and delivered approximately 30%‑complete final plans that informed a preliminary engineer’s opinion of probable cost of about $4,110,000. Englewood currently has about $1,850,000 in the Public Improvement Fund available to match grant awards.

Scope and timeline: staff described the project as a rehabilitation — deck replacement and widening, not a full bridge replacement — that would add ADA‑compliant sidewalks on both sides. The BRO program’s stated objective is to inventory, inspect, evaluate, replace and rehabilitate major structures on public roads owned by Colorado counties and municipalities.

Funding details and schedule: Roman said CDOT’s BRO grant requires a minimum 20% local match but that applicants with a larger local match are more competitive; Englewood’s current funds represent roughly a 40% match to the 30% cost estimate. The application deadline is Nov. 5; staff said award decisions are expected in January or February and that 100% plans are scheduled for next spring.

Council questions focused on timing and risk. Member Russell asked how long the grant award window lasts; staff said they will verify CDOT’s timeline and noted precedent procedures allow requests for extension if construction is delayed. Member Ward asked whether state grant decisions might be affected by municipal compliance with state policies; staff said Englewood is not on any state “non‑compliant” list at this time and legal and community development staff will review grant conditions as needed.

Traffic, utilities and local impacts: staff noted the bridge currently lacks an ADA‑compliant sidewalk on one side and that the project would widen the bridge and bring sidewalks into compliance. They confirmed at least two utilities are hung under the bridge and said utility coordination will be part of design and construction.

Local funding and related road work: council members raised adjacent street conditions and asked whether tipping fees at the nearby transfer station could be revisited to help fund work used by heavy vehicles. Staff said the city increased the transfer‑station charge to $0.63 per cubic yard (effective 2024) and that further analysis of fees and which jurisdictions use the transfer station will be provided.

Action by council: after questions, staff asked for confirmation that council was comfortable with staff applying; the mayor and members indicated support and staff proceeded with the application. No formal roll‑call vote was recorded in the study session minutes.

Next steps: staff will submit the BRO application by Nov. 5, continue design toward 100% plans next spring, confirm CDOT timeline for award and coordinate utility and traffic control planning as design advances.