Alternatives proposed for 88th and I-25 transit hub

Thornton suggests midinterstate bus stop to cut down on accidents

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

An RTD bus loading platform in the middle of Interstate 25 might be a one way to cut down on accidents on the highway south of 104th Avenue, ornton councilors were told.

Transit alternatives at 88th Avenue and Interstate 25 may be coming, and ornton’s sending the Colorado Department of Transportation a possible solution, councilors were told. e item, presented at the Jan. 31 ornton City Council study session, is in the planning stages. at’s because the section on Interstate 25 between US 36 and 104th is home to a high number of crashes.

“Part of the crashes may be caused by RTD buses weaving to and from the Express Lanes on the left to the bus-only exit/entrance on the right to access the ornton Park-n-Ride,” the meeting’s agenda reads.

According to Kent Moorman, regional transportation engineer, 2,307 crashes occurred from 2017 to 2019, with three involving an RTD bus.

City Sta is recommending a central loading platform in the middle of the highway with either an underpass or a bridge connecting pedestrians to the station. ey see this solution as decreasing travel times, increasing reliability and eliminating bus weaving. City Councilor Julia Marvin said she’s in favor of putting the transit near jobs and housing. She voiced concerns about ornton’s comments not being viewed as equal to CDOT’s and RTD’s.

“ e city will have concerns that RTD or CDOT is not concerned about,” she said.

Moorman said all the alternative suggestions will be weighted the same.

City Councilor Karen Bigelow asked if ornton will still get a mobility hub at Highway 7, and Moorman said yes.

“Highway 7 and I-25, CDOT is moving forward with an interim mobility hub and they are designing it now with plans to be under construction in 2024 as a Bustang stop,” he said.