Sidewalks smoothed out for Niwot pedestrians

First, multi-colored flags began popping up around Niwot, next the appearance of cryptic symbols sprayed on sidewalks. Then came the influx of orange-vested workers and similarly colored hazard cones, huge tarps spread across pedestrian walkways, and the arrival of lots of trucks. It was clear that a big project was underway.

At least two dozen large sections of cracked and heaving sidewalk have been removed and replaced, along with curbs refurbished to meet the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirement of textured pedestrian ramps. The work is being done along Niwot Road, throughout Johnson Farm Subdivision, along Meadowdale Drive, Burgundy Court, Longview, Waterford and Overbrook Roads.

“If the weather holds out, we’ll be done by the week of Christmas,” Andrew Barth, Boulder County Communication Specialist said.

ADA curbs and ramps are required for every corner where road repaving is planned. Barth said since concrete work can be done in cool weather, the county is taking care of as much work as possible at one time in order to get a better price from the contractor, Keene Contracting out of Denver, and to have it all done in advance of the larger project of road repaving.

When temperatures are warm enough, most likely in the spring, Boulder County plans to begin paving Niwot Road from the western end of town up to Walker Road, in addition to the other roads where the concrete work is underway.

Burgundy Drive is being repaved through the Public Improvement District formed by its residents. The remainder of the road paving project is part of the county’s plan to repave community use roads every five years.

Barth said there will not be any road closures when repaving is underway, but there will be traffic delays and the county plans to give sufficient notice to the public to alleviate frustration.