Council approves contracts for W. 112th/Uptown Complete Streets project after debate over bike-lane design and federal funding

The City and County of Broomfield on March 18 approved three resolutions to move forward with the W. 112th and Uptown Complete Streets project, which will widen the roadway to four lanes, add bicycle facilities, build a multiuse side path and construct a railroad crossing and connection to the US 36 Bikeway.

The contracts include a construction agreement with American West Construction LLC and construction management/inspection agreements with consultant FHU and Felsburg, Holt & Ullevig. Council voted unanimously, 9-0, to approve the three resolutions this evening.

Broomfield Capital Improvement Program manager Brian Graham told council the roughly $7.2 million project is funded about half by state and federal grants (including CDOT funding and a reimbursable grant noted in the staff packet) and half by local funds. He noted about $500,000 of grant funds already have reimbursed design costs and the city has contractual termination clauses that limit exposure to money already spent if grants fall through.

The project drew sustained council discussion on design decisions for bicyclists and pedestrians and the process used to prioritize the work. Council member Ward said he supported the overall project but urged stronger safety measures for bikes and pedestrians and noted code decisions on lane widths made in 2022 limit future design choices. "There is still room for improvement with this project and with projects going forward," Ward said. He added, "There is no price we can put on someone's life or any injury that they may sustain." Ward said he would support the project despite those concerns.

Council members asked why the design transitions some bicycle traffic from a separated multiuse path onto on-street bike lanes near constrained areas, and whether physical separators or narrower vehicle lanes might slow traffic and improve safety. Staff said topographic and right-of-way constraints — including a narrow railroad crossing and vertical limitations — limited options in some spots; where on-street bike lanes are used the plan provides 6.5-foot bike lanes. Staff also said the roadway is designated as an arterial and truck route, which influences lane-width standards.

Council asked about the project schedule and construction impacts near Jefferson Academy and other local schools. Staff said the project team expects to maintain at least one travel lane in each direction for most of construction and will work with the contractor to limit impacts at school drop-off and pick-up times where possible. The current schedule anticipates permitting and preconstruction work this spring with construction later in 2025 and completion in summer 2026.

Staff and council flagged cost escalation since the original 2020 grant application. The grant award amounts were calculated years earlier and design- and market-driven price escalation increased the local share; staff said the increase is driven primarily by inflation and higher construction costs, not an expansion of project scope. Project documents show an extensive local overmatch to cover higher-than-anticipated bids.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025-46: Approving construction agreement with American West Construction LLC for the W. 112th and Uptown Complete Streets project. Moved: Council member Ward. Second: Mayor Pro Tem Schaff. Outcome: approved, 9-0. - Resolution 2025-47: Approving a consulting agreement with Felsberg, Holt & Ullevig for construction management services. Moved: Ward. Second: Wynne. Outcome: approved, 9-0. - Resolution 2025-48: Approving the fourth amendment to a consulting agreement with Felsberg, Holt & Ullivig for the project. Moved: Wynne. Second: Ward. Outcome: approved, 9-0.

Why it matters

The project will change a key connector on Broomfield's west side, adding multimodal facilities designed to connect to regional bikeways and to accommodate traffic growth. Council members pressed staff to prioritize bike and pedestrian safety where feasible and to provide clear public communication and phasing plans to reduce school- and commuter-time impacts.

Implementation and next steps

Staff will proceed with required permits and contractor mobilization once the standard preconstruction steps are finished. The presentation noted contractual termination clauses tied to grant reimbursements; if a grant were withdrawn the city would consider alternatives including delaying or re-scoping the project.

Provenance

- topicintro: block_id="blk_2753" tc_start="00:45:53" tc_end="00:47:48" evidence_excerpt: "Good evening. So we did have a chance to prepare a brief presentation... The West Hundred And Twelfth And Uptown project is to widen that section of roadway..." (transcript time ~2753.29

) - topfinish: block_id="blk_4316" tc_start="01:11:56" tc_end="01:13:52" evidence_excerpt: "Council members have entered their vote, and the results will be displayed... And that passes unanimously 9 to 0." (transcript time ~4316.84)

Speakers

- Brian Graham, Capital Improvement Program manager (government) - Council member Ward (government) - Mayor Pro Tem Schaff (government) - Council member Wynne (government) - Manager Jen Hoffman, City and County Manager (government)

Authorities

- ordinance/resolution: "Resolution 2025-46" referenced_by:["topicintro","topfinish"] - ordinance/resolution: "Resolution 2025-47" referenced_by:["topicintro","topfinish"] - ordinance/resolution: "Resolution 2025-48" referenced_by:["topicintro","topfinish"] - Grant programs: "CDOT grant" referenced_by:["topicintro"] - Grant programs: "Safer Main Streets reimbursable grant" referenced_by:["topicintro"]

Proper_names

[ {"name":"American West Construction LLC","type":"business"},{"name":"Felsberg, Holt & Ullevig","type":"business"},{"name":"CDOT","type":"agency"},{"name":"US 36 Bikeway","type":"location"} ]

Topics

[ {"name":"transportation","justification":"Project adds lanes, bikeways and a rail crossing for a major local connector","scoring":{"topic_relevance":0.98,"depth_score":0.80,"opinionatedness":0.10,"controversy":0.45,"civic_salience":0.85,"impactfulness":0.75,"geo_relevance":1.00}} ]