In early January, Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure began pre-construction work for the installation of an improved, expanded storm drain system to provide greater flood protection for Congress Park residents, National Jewish Health (NJH) patients and staff, and local businesses from heavy rainstorms and other storm events. In addition, the new Jackson Street Storm Drain infrastructure will ultimately provide additional capacity for the upstream area around Hale Parkway.
The Jackson Street Storm Drain Project will begin on the north side of E. Colfax Avenue at Jackson Street. Work will proceed south across E. Colfax, through the existing City right-of-way (ROW) in the National Jewish Health (NJH) parking lot and continue on E. 14th Avenue at Jackson Street for ½ block east towards Harrison Street. The entire project will take approximately 18 months.
Overview of Construction Timeline & Traffic Impacts
Early January 2020 – April 2020 (3-4 months)
Construction in westbound lanes of E. Colfax Avenue at Jackson Street
- During this phase of construction, the westbound lanes of E. Colfax Avenue around Jackson Street will be closed, while the eastbound lanes of E. Colfax will remain open and adjusted to provide one eastbound and one westbound lane for traffic.
- Access to Jackson Street from E. Colfax will not be open to vehicles during work in westbound lanes of E. Colfax.
April 2020 – August 2020 (3-4 months)
Construction in eastbound lanes of E. Colfax Avenue at Jackson Street
- The westbound lanes of E. Colfax will be reopened and adjusted to provide one lane of traffic in each direction.
- Access to Jackson Street from E. Colfax will reopen.
- The traffic plan on E. Colfax will “flip” for pipe installation to begin in the eastbound lanes of E. Colfax Avenue around Jackson Street and the eastbound lanes will be closed.
January 6, 2020 – August 2020 (8 months)
North end of Jackson ROW/NJH parking lot (Driveway to Circle Entrance)
Mid-August 2020 – March 2021 (7-8 months)
South end of Jackson ROW/NJH parking lot (Circle Entrance into E. 14th Avenue) and E. 14th Avenue
- Full lane closures will be required on E. 14th Avenue in the area around Garfield, Jackson and Harrison Streets during the final phase of the project to ensure the safety of the construction crews as they install the new pipe.
- Detours will be put in place during this phase of construction.
General Construction Impacts
Residents and Businesses: Access to residences and businesses will be maintained during construction.
Pedestrian Traffic: Sidewalks on the north side of E. Colfax at Jackson Street will be closed during installation of the new storm pipe in that intersection for the first phase. Please be aware that this project involves digging deep ditches to make way for the new storm pipe. For safety reasons, pedestrians are asked to avoid fenced off areas and to cross only at traffic signals.RTD: The RTD stop at E. Colfax and Colorado Boulevard will remain open during construction. While crews work in the westbound lanes of E. Colfax, the bus stop at Garfield Street may be impacted. Additionally, it is possible that the bus stop next to NJH will be temporarily closed when work shifts to the eastbound lanes of E. Colfax. Updates will be provided as the project progresses.
Utilities: There may be temporary interruptions of utility services during construction. Advance notice will be provided to impacted residents.
