To serve as an urban park as well as a major multi-modal transportation conduit, the Linking Lookout Interchange is designed to improve connectivity on each side of US 6 in Golden, Colorado. The two-span, 160-foot-long and 280-foot-wide bridge improves vehicular level of service while increasing safety for what had been one of the area’s most accident-prone intersections. As the structural engineer-of-record and a subconsultant to IMEG, the Otak design team worked closely with Edward Kraemer and Sons, the CMGC, to develop the design, construction phasing, and construction cost estimates for this $30 million project.
A Structure Designed to Safely Add Multimodal Connectivity and Public Space
The overall concept was to improve connectivity from the residential areas on the west side of US 6 to the Colorado School of Mines campus located to its east. The multimodal design now allows vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians cross safely over the busy highway on their way between downtown Golden and other local destinations. Comprised of side-by-side, pre-stressed girders, the bridge the bridge has nearly 70,000 square feet of retaining walls are soil-nail and MSE. To create an urban park setting, up to 10 feet of fill and trees were added on top of the bridge deck, along with picnic tables, park space, and a small amphitheater. To minimize the load on the structure, earthen fill was replaced with styrofoam block in critical areas. Waterproofing of the bridge deck, below the earthen fill, was a critical consideration because the structure would be covered by earth, grass, and pavement, and could not be inspected from above.
Passing through Duvall’s rural countryside and the forested communities along unincorporated King County, Woodinville-Duvall Road is an important arterial through the Puget Sound region’s eastside. However, it was not built for a packed morning commute. To meet the needs of the eastside’s growing communities, the City of Woodinville sought to add capacity for its increased traffic and growing population of pedestrians and bicyclists.
Adding Multimodal Capacity to a Growing Community
With an emphasis on safety and sustainability this traffic corridor was redesigned while with the City and nearby landowners to make the best use of the surrounding open space. New bicycle lanes and additional car lanes were added to the one-mile roadway, along with new signals and street lighting. Retaining walls and landscaping were designed to add to the walkability of the new pedestrian paths. A new storm drainage system was also installed to protect the area’s water quality, with stream crossings and environmental mitigation coordinated and approved by local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. In leading the transportation design, Otak specialists worked with the Woodinville community to reduce construction impacts, including folding the replacement of an existing water main into the project schedule and crafting temporary traffic control and hour requirements for local schools.
The first-of-its-kind for the State of Washington, this bus rapid transit line runs 17-miles between the communities of Shoreline and Everett. Otak designed the Swift Blue Line to operate like a train as buses arrived every 10 to 20 minutes across the 30 stations along the route, with riders prepaying and boarding immediately.
A Bus Rapid Transit System Designed for a Uniform and Efficient Experience
To ensure a uniform and efficient transit experience, coordination with local utilities, regulatory agencies, and the shelters’ manufacturer throughout the stations’ design, construction, and installation process was essential. As part of an expanding bus rapid transit system, this corridor’s specific design features include a shelter, shelter railing, iconic markings and art for station identity, ticket vending machines, and informational signage. The Otak team also led these coordination efforts as well as stakeholder engagement for this award-winning project.
The Interurban Trail follows its namesake trolley route from downtown Seattle to northern residential and rural communities in Shoreline and Snohomish County. Instead of rail cars packed with 20th century commuters, the trail is travelled by bicyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians seeking to enjoy the Puget Sound region’s natural beauty and evolving landscape.
A Trail Designed for Community Connectivity
Connectivity and community define the trail and its creation. In design development for the 24-mile corridor the Shoreline community was engaged in an extensive outreach program, while coordinating and meeting the needs of each of the route’s affected agencies and jurisdictions. Features include view lookouts, informational kiosks, gateway elements, and trolley-related wayfinding and mile-marker signage. Otak developed the preliminary design as well as construction and management for the trail’s three-mile north, south, and south-central sections in Shoreline.
In collaboration with the City of Glenwood Springs, 1.3 miles of trail along Three-Mile Creek and the Roaring Fork River was designed to benefit the community. A portion of the trail is located between the western bank of the Roaring Fork River and the historic Atkinson Canal.
Designing a Multi-Use Path with Minimal Environmental Impact
Our team worked closely with the City of Glenwood Springs Community Development and the River Commission to develop a plan for a 10-foot-wide concrete path with two-foot soft surface shoulders; a four-span pedestrian/bicycle bridge underpass at the Sunlight Bridge; trail amenities such as overlooks, picnic shelters, and beach access; and improvements to the trailheads. We designed the trail with minimal environmental and hydraulic impacts because of the sensitivity of the surrounding area.
The 29-acre cloverleaf intersection of Colfax Avenue and Federal Boulevard is one of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians and bicyclists in Denver. A study to reimagine the space identified opportunities for safe bike-pedestrian connections, proposed zoning for land gained by simplifying the intersection, and visualized what this intersection could look like if some or all the existing infrastructure was modified.
An Urban Design Study and Vision for Multimodal Infrastructure
The busy intersection near downtown Denver presents a significant barrier to bike and pedestrian connections from neighborhoods to the west and community resources such as the Decatur-Federal Station, Platte River Trail, and Mile High Stadium to the east. To gather ideas and expertise for this complex visionary project, Otak led a design charrette with stakeholders, including the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation District, Denver City Council, Denver staff, developers, neighborhood organizations, and advocacy groups. Otak also presented the design ideas at multiple public meetings and supported a parallel tactical urbanism project that aimed to highlight the opportunities presented by a revision of the area. Otak’s efforts are being used to spur redevelopment funding and implementation.
In providing a gateway to the several prominent breweries located in this area, the Lincoln Avenue bridge is the focal point of the design reconstructing East Lincoln Avenue from Willow Street to Lemay Avenue in Fort Collins, Colorado.
A Bridge Designed for Safe Passage to Downtown Businesses
The asymmetric, two-span structure is 195 feet long and 65.5-feet-wide. In reducing structure depth for hydraulic and path clearance purposes, the bridge uses side-by-side concrete box girders. The plaza on the north side of the bridge creates an urban parklet while pergolas and benches were designed as places to meet and relax. Brick pavers add to the sense of space and irrigated planters act as bollards to provide additional safety. Otak (as Loris and Associates) provided the bridge design for this improved corridor and community connection.
As the “Entrance to Aspen,” this stretch of Hallam Street (SH 82) from North 7th Street to the Castle Creek Bridge was designed with pedestrian and bicycle improvements.
Multimodal Improvements Led By Community Outreach
The multimodal design replaced a sidewalk with a multi-use path, raised pedestrian crossings, improved bus stops, widened the sidewalk on the bridge, and added a pedestrian guardrail on the bridge. The pedestrian and bicycle improvements required a new roadway cross-section that included asphalt pavement, concrete pavement, and curb & gutter, as well as removing and replacing the asphalt pavement on the Castle Creek Bridge. It was critical to preserve existing trees, improve drainage, provide for snow storage, increase pedestrian safety, and provide landscape screening. We collaborated with the City of Aspen on a public outreach program that included public meetings, one-on-one meetings with property owners and stakeholders, and a “living lab” in which the City placed temporary barriers along the corridor and allowed the public to get a “live” experience of how the improvements would look and feel.
First developed during Washington state’s hundred-year anniversary, the Centennial Trail is a 30-mile multi-purpose network that follows a former rail corridor through Snohomish County.
A Former Rail Corridor Turned Active Transportation Alternative
In creative a convenient alternative to driving, the Centennial Trail is also popular recreationally for pedestrians, bicyclists, hikers, and equestrians. The 12-foot-wide asphalt trail includes parking facilities, frontage improvements at street crossings, four acres of landscaping, park signage, and related park amenities. Otak’s integrated specialists led the public and County through a thorough master planning process and both designed and managed the construction of the new trail. Features include arrival landmarks with wayfinding and historic interpretation opportunities, gardens, picnic sites, and a large market plaza near the library.
As part of master planning for the Scappoose Airport Industrial District, a new manufacturing plant and warehouse would be developed in the Airport Industrial Park. With two phases of development, the facility would be delivered on a compressed schedule.
Designing Around a Compressed Schedule for Manufacturing Site Development
Large raw paper rolls manufactured at Cascades’ site in St. Helens, Oregon, will be shipped to the warehouse, converted into various paper products, and then shipped to distributors. The warehouse has two phases of development: Phase 1 includes 290,000 square feet of light industrial and office space, and Phase 2 adds 300,000 square feet of warehouse and distribution center space. One of the significant challenges on this project was the compressed schedule. The equipment being used in the converting process was scheduled to arrive in just months after the design and permitting process began. Through a collaboration with the City of Scappoose and the State of Oregon, Otak teams were able to fast-track the design and construction process so that the equipment had a place to be stored upon arrival.
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