About the Project
The Town of Estes Park was awarded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funding via the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The SRTS program’s purpose is to make school routes safer and encourage healthy and active lifestyles by enabling children to walk, bike, and roll to and from school. Graves Avenue was identified as a top priority for SRTS improvements, given its close proximity to the school district, high volume of student and parent pedestrian traffic, and lack of continuous sidewalk pavement.
The project included construction of a continuous sidewalk on one or both sides of Graves Avenue, plus a sidewalk connector from the Brodie Avenue sidewalk to the Elementary School’s parking lot crosswalk. These improvements increase safety and accessibility in the area, and provide connectivity with the neighborhood housing near Graves Avenue, the Estes Park School District, and the Estes Valley Community Center.
The Town of Estes Park contracted with Sanderson Stewart of Fort Collins, Colorado, to provide design and engineering services for this project. Construction services were provided by Dietzler Construction Corporation of Johnstown, Colorado. Construction was completed in August 2024.
- Project Updates History
05.14.2024
The Graves Avenue Safe Routes to School sidewalk improvements project is scheduled to begin on May 22, 2024. Dietzler Construction Corporation was awarded the contract in April 2024 and is eager to get this project started.
A five-foot wide sidewalk will be installed on the north side of Graves Avenue, and an eight-foot wide sidewalk on the south side. The project will be completed in two phases, with the southern half of Graves Avenue being completed first; the second phase is tentatively scheduled to begin at the end of June. Graves Avenue will be under a one-way traffic configuration for the duration of the project, with traffic traveling eastbound only from South Saint Vrain Avenue (SH 7) to Community Drive. Access to businesses and driveways will be maintained daily throughout both phases of the project, and detour routes will be signed. The anticipated completion date for the entire project is August 16, 2024.
01.19.2024
The Town of Estes Park is happy to share that the design for the Graves Avenue-Safe Routes to School project has reached a 90% complete stage. Links to the design plans are provided below. Public Works is working through final design and easement acquisition. The construction dates will be determined after project clearances are gained through the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Public engagement for the project resulted in feedback that shaped the overall design. In particular, the selected design incorporates sidewalks along both sides of Graves Avenue, increasing ease and safety for pedestrians. The project design still maintains some on-street parking spaces.
2022
Town Press Release January 28, 2022
2021
