Neighborhood Traffic Circle Pilot Project - Brooks Dr & W 59th Pl

March 18, 2021-Project Update

In fall 2020, the Mobility & Planning Innovations (MPI) Division of Arvada Public Works Dept. installed an experimental traffic circle project at Brooks Drive and W 59th Pl.

This project was a priority due to the potential for conflicts between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who travel through the intersection. Changes to Ralston Cove Park and increased Ralston Creek Trail usage prompted the City team to propose a proactive safety measure to slow motorists and increase bicyclists and pedestrian safety. The temporary traffic circle was installed as an alternative to major reconstruction of the intersection so that the City team could test the design and gather data on performance.

The traffic circle has been installed for 6 months. During this period, the City solicited input from residents and conducted traffic analysis. Within this initial period, multiple studies show traffic calming benefits supporting the intent of the design. With an anticipated increase of bicycle and pedestrian traffic with warmer weather, and given the project’s initial success, the City team has been instructed to continue data collection, monitoring, and analysis. This effort will continue until enough data has been collected through all of the seasons within a year. The final results will be posted on SpeakUp and discussed with the City of Arvada leadership team prior to finalizing the traffic circle.

If you have questions, please contact the Mobility and Planning Manager, John Firouzi, at jfirouzi@arvada.org.

Project Background

The Arvada Public Works Department is installing a temporary neighborhood traffic circle at the intersection of 59th Place, Brooks Dr and the Ralston Creek Trail. The project is being implemented to improve the safety and comfort for trail users and reduce speeding. It will be constructed initially with paint and flex posts to test the effectiveness of the traffic circle without making a large financial investment. If the traffic circle is effective and supported by the community, it will be made permanent in the future with concrete and landscaping.

The neighborhood is encouraged to provide feedback throughout the six month trial period. The community's feedback and input is essential in helping Public Works decide whether or not the traffic circle is a success.

There are several tools available on Speak Up to provide your feedback, including a discussion area, a map to provide information about other transportation issues in your neighborhood, and a survey.

Project Location

Existing Conditions looking westbound at the intersection.

What is a neighborhood traffic circle?

A traffic calming circle is a raised island located in the center of an intersection around which traffic must circulate. By providing a landscaped area in the middle of the roadway, they can visually break up the scale of wide streets, break up the monotony of the street grid, and provide space for added greenery and stormwater treatment. Traffic circles are generally used at low volume neighborhood intersections. Traffic circles can help slow traffic on local and collector streets and calm traffic for pedestrians. Traffic circles typically have less of an impact on emergency vehicles than speed humps or speed tables, and can add to the aesthetics of the street.

Project Plans

Photos of the recently installed traffic circle.

Example of what the final traffic circle will look like if made permanent.