A stretch of 18th Street in downtown Denver was converted from one-way to two-way traffic on Sunday as part of ongoing efforts to make the city’s center more pedestrian friendly.
“Research shows that two-way street design activated ground floor retail and inherently slows down traffic, resulting in a safer and friendlier environment for pedestrians and bicyclists and lessens the chance of fatalities or serious injuries when collisions occur,” said Aylene McCallum, senior manager of transportation and research at the Downtown Denver Partnership.
The street was converted between Wynkoop and Blake Streets and will include new traffic signals at the intersection of 18th and Wynkoop. Some $22,00 in new “streetscape” — including trees, planters and trash bins — will be added along the changed stretch.
Officials say the conversion is meant to complement the recent re-opening of Union Station. The 18th Street conversion follows similar projects in 2011 and 2012.
The Downtown Denver Partnership say it hopes to work with city officials to convert more downtown streets in the future.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul
