Boulder Transportation Division Wins FHA Award

The city of Boulder earned one of the Exemplary Human Environment Initiatives awards for work completed on 28th Street between Baseline Road and Arapahoe Avenue.

Photo courtesy of City of Boulder Transportation Division

The city of Boulder Transportation Division recently won one of the first-ever Exemplary Human Environment Initiatives awards from the Federal Highway Administration for the multi-modal transportation project on 28th Street between Baseline Road and Arapahoe Avenue.

The city of Boulder was one of eight award winners chosen from an applicant pool of 38 submittals across the nation. It was the only project in the Rocky Mountain region to be recognized.

The EHEI award program was initiated in 2007 to help facilitate the FHWA’s environmental stewardship responsibilities by recognizing effective and innovative transportation projects across the nation. One of the goals of the program is to “protect and enhance the natural environment and communities affected by highway transportation.”

The winning 28th Street project combines aesthetic and functional artistic elements with new and/or improved facilities for all modes of travel throughout the corridor, otherwise known as a “complete street.” The section of the 28th Street project, coined “Hello Boulder” through a community input process, created an attractive, efficient and progressive entry into the city of Boulder from U.S. 36.

“The transportation division is honored to accept this award,” said Tracy Winfree, director of public works for transportation. “But more than the award, we are excited to create visibility and promote a new era of multi-modal design that will help contribute to a sustainable future.”

The city contracted with Jacobs Carter Burgess to manage the public involvement and planning process for the corridor improvements. “Jacobs Carter Burgess provided an interactive decision-making process that incorporated involvement of corridor users, property and business owners, residents, the arts community, University of Colorado staff, Boulder officials and transportation agencies and community organizations, which resulted in a real community-driven improvement project,” said Winfree.

“It was very rewarding to work with the Boulder community to transform 28th Street to a place filled with art and opportunities to bike, walk, drive or catch a bus through town,” said Diane Yates, landscape architect at Jacobs Carter Burgess. “As a Boulder resident, I’m excited that my community has been recognized with this national award.”

For more information about the 28th Street project, go to www.bouldertransportation.net and click on Projects or call Noreen Walsh at 303-441-3266. To learn more about the EHEI program, call Gabe Rousseau at 202-366-8044.

Click here for more DDJ Features >>