The city has awarded a contract to JHL Constructors to build the long-awaited Nine Mile Pedestrian Bridge over Parker Road near Interstate 225.

The initial phase of the project is underway and involves fabricating the bridge structure at an off-site facility located in Loveland.

Construction and traffic updates will be posted on this webpage as the project progresses. However, with the initial bridge fabrication work happening off site, no on-site work will occur until closer to September.

The groundbreaking event initially scheduled for late May has been postponed until closer to September. The new date will be posted on this page once it is finalized.

The bridge will connect the RTD Nine Mile Station with homes and businesses on the north side of Parker Road. It will provide improved regional multi-modal connectivity, enable people to cross safety over Parker Road and improve traffic flow along this major metro-area corridor.

Project Background

Initial federal funding awarded in 2019 has enabled this long-desired project to move forward.

Due to significant construction cost increases and market conditions, the project was put on hold in late 2022 after receiving bids for construction that exceeded the project budget.

Since that time, the city has taken a dual approach to raise additional funding and align the scope of the project to meet the new budget. 

The recommendation for a bridge was included in the city's 2012 Nine Mile Station Area Plan to support anticipated redevelopment in the area. Redevelopment plans moved forward in 2017, and award of the 2019 federal grant solidified the funding need to initiate the project.

Bridge Description

A prefabricated steel truss bridge will span Parker Road in a single span, with concrete decking, a roof and include a mix of polycarbonate resin and wire mesh panels and along the vertical walls of the bridge.

The bridge will still have open/natural ventilation. The updated design will only include a thru-truss system while the original steel arch design was removed for increased affordability.

The bridge landings are designed as separate structures from the bridge and will include stairs and concrete ramp systems with ADA compliance design. Elevators were also removed from the design due to affordability. The ramp and stair landing structures will be bicycle and pedestrian friendly but are considered with bicycle dismounting for travel and circulation safety.

Integrated Design Enhancements

Aurora’s Art in Public Places Program (AIPP) committed funding to maximize this gateway opportunity to celebrate those qualities and experiences that make Aurora unique.

Seattle-based designer/infrastructure specialist Vicki Scuri was selected through the city’s community-based selection process, managed by AIPP, to create integrated design enhancements for the bridge.

Through a community engagement process in 2021, Scuri gathered information about the values and interests of Aurora’s residents, and particularly those who live and work in the areas surrounding this bridge project. Community members provided input into the enhancements and the results integrate the color palette and environment of the prairie with Aurora’s diverse populations represented through several languages. Thank you to all who contributed to that process.

The entire bridge project was paused, and when it was reactivated, Scuri honored that original contextual design process by integrating the original concepts into the context of the new bridge structure.

Project Funding

Initially, the city received federal grant funds through the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOC) to help pay for the bridge design and construction with city capital improvement funding used as a match amount. Additional funds were contributed from the city's Art in Public Places program (AIPP) to pay for aesthetic enhancements. Public outreach efforts in early 2021 provided some guidance on those elements.

For the redesign effort, additional funds from several sources were used to supplement the initial funding to help deliver the project. This city contributed additional capital improvement, AIPP, and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The city was awarded additional Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding along with additional contributions from the adjacent “The Point at Nine Mile Station” development also forthcoming.

The total project construction estimate is $13.1 million.