The City of Lone Tree has reached intergovernmental agreements and donation agreements with six entities for construction of a pedestrian bridge spanning Lincoln Avenue near the Heritage Hills intersection.

“It's going to cross just to the east of Lincoln Commons to connect the green space to the south to the bike path to the north,” said Kelly Dunn of Fentress Architects.

The Lone Tree Department of Public Works estimates that the pedestrian bridge will accommodate around 170 crossings per day and is intended to increase pedestrian safety by reducing the number of jaywalkers while also improving traffic flow along Lincoln Avenue.

According to Kristen Knoll, community outreach coordinator, the Lone Tree Department of Public Works has timed traffic signals along Lincoln Avenue to allow cars to travel through the city without having to stop for a red light, however, each time a crosswalk signal is activated the planned traffic flow is disrupted.

Activation of the pedestrian signal increases red-light times to 35 seconds or longer to allow pedestrians to cross up to nine lanes of roadway at intersections on Lincoln Avenue. In times of higher traffic volume, the extended signal causes backups.

In addition to the IGAs, the city has engaged Hamon Infrastructure, a Denver-based general contractor specializing in road and bridge projects, to build the $7 million bridge.

The vote taken at the April 19 meeting of the Lone Tree City Council was 4 to 1 in favor, with District 2 Councilmember Kim Monson the sole no vote.

Monson complimented the work done on the project, but raised concerns about the costs.

“I struggle with the project from a philosophical standpoint, and that is $7 million for a pedestrian bridge,” Monson said. “It's a philosophical thing that I'm concerned about as I take a look at spending that money, which is the taxpayers' money.”

The City of Lone Tree will contribute around $3.465 million for construction and will be responsible for bridge maintenance once the project is completed in March 2017. The remaining $3.535 million will be borne by the six entities that reached agreements with the city.

The final design is expected to be approved by July, and construction is planned to begin in August.