The Broadway Bridge over Boulder Creek

Submitted by Carter & Burgess Inc.

The replacement of an historic bridge in the heart of the city of Boulder's municipal campus required sensitivity to its historic significance and the surrounding environment.

Design of the original bridge was attributed to Frederick Law Olmsted - designer of New York's Central Park - and incorporated unique architectural treatments that set it apart from other bridges of the 1920s.

Every effort was made by the design team to save the original bridge, which was eligible for the National Historic Register. They included x-raying the railing to determine its condition, evaluating methods for rehabilitating and strengthening the bridge, an extensive public involvement process and close coordination with the city and its Landmark Preservation Advisory Board.

After replacement of the bridge became the only option, Carter & Burgess developed a design of equal stature to the original that honored its architecture while creating a new design statement for the community.

The original bridge had two 50-ft arching span facades. The new bridge has a much sleeker 130-ft span with arching ribs that clear-span Boulder Creek. Two hidden spans provide the structure that allows the bridge to nearly triple the original 50-ft spans without increasing the structure depth.

These hidden spans were designed to be opened up for possible future channel modifications downstream. Should the hydraulic capacity need to be increased, future modifications can be made without having to rebuild the bridge.

The bridge railing was of particular importance to the LPAB. Extensive coordination with CDOT and FHWA resulted in a bridge railing similar to the original, which was constructed of concrete. The new bridge railing was built from layers of steel to create more depth and interest.

Project Team

Owner: City of Boulder
Designer: Carter & Burgess Inc.
Architect: Carter & Burgess Inc., 2GF and Shapins & Associates
General Contractors: Concrete Works of Colorado and Edward Kraemer & Sons
Subconsultants: Clanton & Associates Inc., ERO Resources, Hermsen Associates, Irrigation Design & Consulting, Land Mark Design Inc., Moser & Associates Engineering Inc., Zimmer Gunsel Frasca

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