High Plains Trail Connector Pedestrian Bridge

In an outdoor enthusiast state like Colorado, separating motor vehicle traffic from hiking and biking trails is crucial for a high quality of life. It can help secure the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists and can enhance property values. According to the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the easternmost part of the Denver metro area is heavily developed but isolated from the larger trail network, forcing cyclists and pedestrians to navigate busy roadways and perform at-grade crossings to access the regional trail network to the west. 

To address this challenge, local governments collaborated to fund and construct the High Plains Connector Pedestrian Bridge, which spans State Highway 83 (Parker Road), a six-lane separated state highway with a daily traffic volume exceeding 50,000 cars. The bridge provides safer crossings and unimpeded access to surrounding neighborhoods and businesses. Stanley Consultants was chosen to design and manage construction on the project. 

To minimize traffic disruption during construction, a 256 foot long and 16 foot wide, single-span tied-arch truss prefabricated bridge was designed — one of the longest in Colorado, according to the manufacturer. Once the surrounding area was ready, and after significant coordination with the Colorado Department of Transportation, Arapahoe County and the Town of Parker, only one full nighttime closure of SR-83 was needed to place the bridge. 

The trail ramp design includes a loop to meet ADA trail requirements, an overlook area with seating and a sign describing the local history including that of the nearby 17 Mile House Farm Park historic site. To accommodate the loop ramp, a cast-in-place concrete box culvert was used to bring the trail under the approach section and down to existing grade. The bridge approaches feature back-to-back mechanically stabilized walls with precast concrete panels that incorporate decorative elements reflecting the history of the surrounding area.

Once the connectors are completed to other trails and housing developments, the project will improve regional trail connectivity, provide a safer crossing of the highway, improve neighborhood access to the larger Denver regional trail network and enhance quality of life for residents.