Lakewood unveils federally funded downtown transportation study; survey finds residents feel unsafe biking

Planning staff described the scope, timeline and early public outreach for a federally funded downtown transportation feasibility study that focuses on safety, ADA access, bicycle and pedestrian networks, and transit connections within the downtown subarea. The study is framed as an implementation-oriented effort to produce design concepts, planning-level cost estimates and a strategic roadmap to pursue federal and state grants.

Angie Silva said the city began applying for the federal grant in 2023, was awarded in 2024, and is working through a multi-phase process that will conclude with a draft and final study and a local road safety plan. She said the grant award is approximately $950,000 and the study is limited to the downtown subarea bounded roughly by Bridgeport, Gravelly Lake and Lakewood Town Center.

Staff summarized outreach results from a three-week online engagement: 205 survey responses, more than 1,200 mapped safety pins, 133 written comments and close to 50,000 social media views. On safety measures, Silva noted a striking result: "79% feel unsafe biking in downtown," and 46% feel unsafe walking. Staff presented crash data for the downtown five-year window: about 578 crashes, three fatal and seven serious-injury crashes. The study will test three alternatives — A: targeted safety improvements (lower cost), B: multimodal with protected bike facilities, and C: full reconstruction — to determine preferred components and cost estimates for future implementation.