Construction of Aurora's Nine Mile Bridge finally advances after prolonged setbacks: "Excited to see this project finally underway"
Aurora's Nine Mile Bridge: A Long-Awaited Project Moving Forward
After years of delays, Aurora's Nine Mile Bridge is finally moving forward. This pedestrian and bicycle bridge, set to span Parker Road just west of I-225, is more than just an infrastructure project—it's a symbol of growth and connectivity for the Colorado city.
The bridge, with its design led by Seattle-based designer Vicki Scuri, will be a landmark for the area. Drawing inspiration from the colors of the prairie and Aurora's cultural diversity, the bridge is expected to be a beautiful, functional, and accessible addition to the city.
Aurora's Mayor, Hancock, expressed his excitement for the project, stating that the bridge will serve as a catalyst for continued redevelopment on the north side of Parker Road, where The Point at Nine Mile Station is bringing new apartments and retail.
The Nine Mile Station, where the bridge will link, is among RTD's busiest, with pre-pandemic ridership of 5,000 passengers a day. The bridge is a critical safety project due to the high traffic and the 1.5 million annual visitors to Cherry Creek State Park nearby. It will eliminate a dangerous gap for pedestrians and cyclists who currently face long, indirect routes or attempt to cross Parker Road's 10 lanes of traffic.
The city expects design and permitting for the bridge to be complete by fall 2025, with construction beginning in winter 2025/26. Building the bridge is expected to take up to 18 months, with a target opening in late spring 2027.
Community members provided input during workshops, helping shape the look of the bridge. The project team promised pedestrian lighting and security cameras accessible to Aurora police. City planners expect the bridge to boost daily transit use, improve connections to the Cherry Creek Trail and State Park, and support population and job growth in the area.
The Nine Mile Bridge is part of a much broader transit-oriented development strategy. Aurora expects the area to grow in population by 11% and employment by 15% between 2020 and 2040. The city originally secured federal funding in 2019, but construction bids came in well above budget, causing a pause in late 2022. The city responded by raising additional funding and redesigning the project to meet the new budget.
At a public hearing in March, Aurora's Planning and Zoning Commission approved the project unanimously. Commissioners raised questions about lighting, accessibility, and security, but ultimately supported the ramp design.
The Colorado city is not alone in its endeavour. Interestingly, there is another planned Nine Mile Bridge, in the city of Most in the Czech Republic.
This long-awaited project in Aurora is set to transform the cityscape, making it more pedestrian-friendly and connected. With its completion, Aurora takes a significant step towards becoming a more walkable, higher-density district built around light rail, as envisioned in the Nine Mile Station Area Plan, adopted in 2013.
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