Airport Creek Trail Underpass Connects Neighborhoods

A Critical Path Connection Improving Trail Accessibility in Broomfield

Exciting news for people who Ride Broomfield: the upcoming Airport Creek Trail Underpass will dramatically improve how cyclists, pedestrians, and other trail users move across the city. This new project isn't just another trail—it will be a critical path connection, overcoming one of Broomfield's most significant barriers to east-west travel: the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad tracks.

By creating a safe, grade-separated crossing, the underpass enhances both accessibility and connectivity across neighborhoods, trails, and key destinations, making Broomfield more bike-friendly than ever.

What's Coming?

  • A New 12-Foot-Wide Trail: The paved, multi-use trail will stretch approximately 850 feet along Airport Creek, providing ample space for people biking, walking, and rolling.

  • Grade-Separated Safety: The underpass runs beneath the BNSF railroad tracks, allowing for uninterrupted east-west movement without crossing at street level or waiting for passing trains.

  • Sustainable Design: The trail will be constructed alongside Airport Creek, with careful consideration given to floodplain dynamics and environmental impacts.

A Vital Link Between Neighborhoods

This new trail connection will directly link:

  • Wadsworth Station (west of the tracks) is a growing residential neighborhood.

  • Broomfield Industrial Park (east of the tracks), home to workplaces, the Sports Complex, and nearby trails

In doing so, it fills a significant gap in Broomfield's trail system, creating direct access between residential areas, recreation facilities, and regional trail corridors. It will also make it easier to connect with other parts of the community, such as Original Broomfield, the US 36 pedestrian and bike bridge, and Arista's transit-oriented development.

How It Improves Trail Accessibility in Broomfield

The Airport Creek Trail Underpass will significantly boost overall trail accessibility by eliminating a central barrier in Broomfield's east-west active transportation network. Here's how:

  • Reliable, Year-Round Access: Riders and walkers get a protected, all-season path that doesn't require detours or careful timing to avoid trains.

  • Greater Connectivity: The underpass creates a vital link that ties together major parts of the city, enabling smoother, shorter, and safer travel for people of all ages and abilities.

  • Expanded Opportunities for Active Travel: With better infrastructure in place, more people can comfortably integrate biking and walking into their daily routines—whether for commuting, errands, or recreation.

  • Stronger Network Integration: The project helps complete a continuous trail system across Broomfield, linking into broader regional paths and supporting multimodal transportation goals.

What's Next?

Design work is underway, and construction is expected to begin soon. Once complete, the Airport Creek Trail Underpass will be a key step forward in Broomfield's vision for a well-connected, multimodal city.

This project aligns with our city's commitment to sustainable and active transportation, making biking and walking more viable, convenient, and safe for everyone.

For people who Ride Broomfield, this isn't just a new trail; it's a transformative link that helps build the active, connected community we're all moving toward, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.

Follow the project here: https://broomfield.org/4259/Airport-Creek-Trail-Underpass


Consider a donation to keep Ride Broomfield Rolling

Previous
Previous

New Wayfinding Signs Installed on Lake Link Trail and More to Come!

Next
Next

Bike Improvements Coming to the Nickel Street and Industrial Lane Intersection