Plans in the works to change dangerous downtown Denver intersection

DENVER — A dangerous intersection that's been a problem for years may soon see change in the coming months.

Denver Public Works received a grant for funding from the Colorado Department of Transportation to put in light signals where Lincoln Street and 5th Avenue meet in downtown Denver.

The Denver Police Department shared statistics with Denver7. Over the last five years, there have been 50 accidents in the intersection. This year, there have already been five, including one that turned fatal in March.

Denver Public Works said traffic engineers are currently working to design the signals with the goal of getting them installed in 2018. The department also plans to put signals at 5th and Broadway.

In the meantime, Denver Public Works will make short term safety improvements in the coming months at 5th and Lincoln, which includes:

• Upgrading the stop signs so they are bigger and more visible.
• Adding stop bars, which are solid white lines (about 12 to 24 inches wide) that extend across all approach lanes at a stop sign to help drivers yield.
• Installing a temporary bulb-out on the northwest corner of Lincoln just past 5th, to prevent drivers from changing lanes in the intersection. A bulb-out is a traffic calming measure that extends the sidewalk to narrow the roadway and provides more pedestrian space at key locations. (Eventually, a permanent bulb-out will be installed after the traffic signal is built.)