Imagine Denver before easy Highlands access. The 20th Street Bridge stands as a testament to progress. It represents connection. Today we explore the history of this vital structure.
The Highlands weren’t always easy to reach from downtown Denver. After the town began growing bridges became essential. The first bridge appeared shortly after the town’s settlement. It ran along the route of the current 15th Street Bridge.
More viaducts emerged connecting the Highlands to Denver. These included Colfax Avenue 14th Street 16th Street and 23rd Street viaducts. Railroads heavily influenced viaduct construction. Tracks led to Union Station and Globeville’s freight yards. Mayor Speer cleverly had railroad and cable car companies fund much of the construction.
Interestingly the 20th Street viaduct was the first designed solely for automobiles built in 1911. Again Mayor Speer secured railroad funding for most of the project.
The 20th Street Bridge spans the Platte River Valley. It stretches between 33rd Avenue and Blake Street. This bridge is Denver’s longest viaduct. Its length addressed train and car accidents. It also helped pedestrians safely cross. The bridge features 85 spans of varying lengths. Steel columns and concrete piers support these spans. Warren trusses carry longer spans over the river and tracks. Plate girders support shorter spans on either side of the roadway.
Recent improvements ensure the 20th Street Bridge remains functional. The City and County of Denver completed rehabilitation work in July 2023. Repairs included a new concrete overlay and steel girder painting. Expansion joints were replaced. Deck repairs were completed and a new railing was installed.
These improvements are funded by the city’s capital improvement program. Travel information was provided during construction. Single lane closures occurred on 20th Street. Closures also affected Platte Avenue and the Platte River bike path. Closures took place between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Westbound closures ran from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
During baseball season travel lanes reopened two hours before Coors Field games. Motorists were encouraged to sign up for travel updates due to the changing work schedule.
While the Highland Bridge emphasizes pedestrian traffic the 20th Street Bridge plays a crucial role in Denver’s transportation network. The 20th Street Bridge is more than steel and concrete. It represents Denver’s growth and ingenuity. It showcases the city’s commitment to connecting communities.