Denver’s Millennium Bridge is getting a million-dollar makeover.
The Central Platte Valley Metropolitan District will be making significant improvements to the bridge late this month, with completion scheduled for July.
"The Millennium Bridge is not only one of downtown Denver’s most iconic landmarks, it is an important thoroughfare between downtown, Riverfront Park and the Lower Highlands," says Amy Cara, President of the metro district. "This renovation will make that pedestrian access more seamless and ensure the bridge remains in good condition and an icon in Denver for years to come."
The $1 million renovation, funded by savings from street infrastructure, aims to improve pedestrian accessibility to the new light-rail plaza and make lighting improvements that will further illuminate the bridge's impressive design and add to Denver’s ever-evolving skyline.
The east staircase will be expanded, creating more flidity and access to the transit hub at Denver Union Station, scheduled to open in May. A third of the cost will be dedicated to upgrading to LED lighting, which will provide brighter and clearer lighting and energy efficiency and will allow the use of colored lights throughout the year. It also will reduce light pollution.
"In addition to improving energy efficiency by up to 80 percent, the lighting upgrades are a fun way to celebrate local milestones like a Broncos game with orange and blue lights, or the Fourth of July with blue and red lights," Cara says.
Starting April 24, the first phase of the project will begin on the south side of the bridge and will limit access to the bridge's elevators for about a month. Alternative routes will be displayed on maps to direct pedestrians to 15th Street.
Contact Confluence Denver Development News Editor Margaret Jackson with tips and leads for future stories at margaret@confluence-denver.com.
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