If your commute takes you along Arapahoe Avenue (CO 7) near Cherryvale Road, plan ahead: starting August 11, the City of Boulder is beginning a roughly two-month project to replace the aging wooden pedestrian and bike bridge deck over South Boulder Creek with a new concrete deck. The upgrade will mean a safer, smoother, and quieter crossing once it’s complete, but it will bring some temporary changes for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in the meantime.
Here’s what to expect.
Driving Arapahoe Avenue
The contractor will establish a 24/7 closure of the north-side bus lane, which will double as the work zone and the pedestrian/bike detour route. Most work will happen during the day (8 am to 4 pm), with flaggers guiding traffic through periodic daytime lane closures.
There will also be two separate overnight full closures of westbound Arapahoe Avenue to remove the old bridge and install the new one. Dates will be announced in advance. Detour routes will run via 63rd Street to Valmont Road, and via Cherryvale Road to Baseline Road.
Walking and Biking
The South Boulder Creek Trail will stay open throughout construction, but expect intermittent, brief closures of the underpass beneath the bridge during safety-critical work. Crews will hold trail users for a few minutes at a time, then reopen as soon as it is safe. Westbound bicyclists in the bike lane will merge onto the multi-use path as they approach the construction zone, and pedestrians and cyclists heading east-west will be routed through a protected, barrier-lined portion of the closed bus lane.
Catching the Bus
Bus Stop 12231 at Arapahoe Avenue & Cherryvale Road (westbound) will be closed for the duration of construction. Riders should use the nearby Stop 12243 at Arapahoe Avenue & Old Tale Road instead.
Why It Matters for Boulder Commuters
For the many employees who commute into Boulder from outside the city, Arapahoe Avenue is a key east-west corridor. The road supports drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and walkers alike. Temporary disruptions like this are a reminder of why investing in resilient, well-maintained multimodal infrastructure matters: it keeps commute options viable even when maintenance work is underway. Stay informed about other changes on CO 7 through the city’s East Arapahoe Avenue projects website here.
The city has already notified adjacent businesses and residents of the pedestrian bridge project, and message boards have been up on westbound Arapahoe Avenue and northbound Cherryvale Road for several weeks. The city is also coordinating with RTD on impacts to the nearby bus stop and the temporary lane closure.
Bottom line: if you regularly travel this stretch of Arapahoe Avenue by car, bike, bus, or on foot, build in some extra time starting August 11, and watch for signage on overnight closure dates as they’re announced.
Funding for the project comes from the city’s Multi-Use Path Maintenance Program, supporting Boulder’s broader transportation strategy to keep the system safe and connected for travelers of all ages and abilities.
📍 Learn more and track updates on the project webpage or the city’s Cone Zones map.
Questions? Reach out to BCTC at transportation@boulderchamber.com. We’re happy to help you plan around the construction.