Talks start on Golden’s North Washington Avenue Project

Design work for the North Washington Avenue project — which will make the northern part of Golden’s main street safer and more accessible for all modes of transportation from walking to biking to driving — is not expected to begin until this fall with construction scheduled for 2017.That’s the news that came out of a Feb. 29 Golden community meeting hosted by the city to introduce residents to the project, which encompasses Washington Avenue from10th Street north to state Highway 93.The $ 3 millionproject will be primarily funded by a federal transportation grant issued through the Denver Regional Council of Governments, and which will be partially matched by the city. The city will be working with the Colorado Department of Transportation on the project.Planning is still in preliminary stages, said Dan Hartman, the city’s public works director.More community meetings will be held as the project progresses.The project is one of the priority corridors for the Complete Streets policy, which was adopted by Golden City Council in June 2010. The policy addresses the need to accommodate all mode of travel on Golden’s streets, including motorized vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians and public transit. “Complete streets” are typically designed to include wider sidewalks, bike facilities and lanes, pedestrian-friendly intersections, enhanced landscaping and public transit accommodations.To stay informed on the city’s street projects, visit www.cityofgolden.net/links/construction.