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Officials describe three-year 50 Eighth Avenue reconstruction with new storm system and retaining wall in Northern Globeville
Summary
Staff described a roughly three-year reconstruction of 50 Eighth Avenue that lowered the roadway about 5.5 feet, added a stormwater system, required a new retaining wall and relocated utilities after encountering hazardous material, officials said.
Speaker 1, a staff member, said the 50 Eighth Avenue project was carried out to improve an industrial roadway corridor and its pavement service, and that the road had been a simple two-lane industrial street before the work. "The 50 Eighth Avenue project was created so that we could improve the roadway corridor as in the way of the pavement service," Speaker 1 said.
The project addressed longstanding drainage and safety problems on what staff described as "one of the heaviest industrial corridors we have." Speaker 2, a staff member, said the roadway previously had "just ditches, no sidewalk curb or gutter" and that inadequate drainage had caused flooding for nearby properties.
According to staff, construction lowered the roadway surface by about 5.5 feet and required extensive excavation and a new retaining wall to protect adjacent properties. "That meant a lot of excavation of soil and that retaining wall was needed to be able to hold up the properties, so that they could remain in business and be a viable portion of this community," Speaker 1 said.
Staff described utility work and environmental controls as major elements of the project. Water lines were installed before the roadway cut, which staff said made utility excavations "extremely challenging." The project team encountered unknown hazardous materials in excavations and worked with local environmental agencies; Speaker 1 said every truckload of excess soil "had to be tracked and sent to waste management for disposal." Speaker 1 added that those steps increased costs but were done "correctly and appropriately for the safety of our citizens."
The reconstruction also included installation of a stormwater system where none had existed, relocation of multiple utilities including water, sanitation and communications, and electrical work that staff said required Xcel Energy to bore from Franklin and then install taller poles. Construction lasted approximately three years and involved multiple lane shifts, detours and closures, staff reported.
Staff noted operational benefits for local commerce and trucks. Speaker 2 said the corridor "was so outdated" and had caused problems with concrete spillage and trucks getting stuck on the hill. The new curb, sidewalk and streetscape elements were described as improving curb appeal for businesses and contributing to neighborhood pride: staff said children produced artwork with the words "unity, familia, and heritage" to represent the Northern Globeville community.
No formal votes or motions related to this presentation were recorded in the provided transcript. Funding sources, contract numbers and specific project costs were not specified in the transcript.
