After anticipating that construction of the long-awaited Oxford Pedestrian Bridge would begin in June, the City of Englewood now says the work is expected to begin in July.
“In late June, the city finalized property access agreements with the apartments on the south side of Oxford Avenue,” said Victor Rachael, director of public works for the city. “We’re now working with RTD to secure access to the north side near the light rail station and expect construction to begin within the next two to three weeks — possibly sooner.”
Rachael said the city now anticipates substantial completion in February or March of 2026. Originally the city anticipated construction to run through January 2026.
The pedestrian bridge will go over Oxford Avenue and will be located just east of the railroad tracks that parallel Santa Fe Drive.
The bridge is “part of a larger initiative to improve urban mobility in Englewood,” Rachael said.
“This bridge will not only provide a safer route for pedestrians, but also help alleviate traffic congestion and integrate into future transportation plans designed to make the city more accessible and sustainable,” Rachael said.
Additionally, Rachael said the purpose of the bridge is to provide a safe and efficient way to access key transit points, as it is strategically placed to grant access to a quicker and safer path for those making their way to the Oxford Light Rail Station.
“By creating an elevated path for pedestrians, the bridge will help reduce congestion on Oxford Avenue, particularly during peak traffic hours when vehicles often trigger red lights that slow the flow of traffic,” Rachael said.
The bridge is part of a larger project the city is working on, which includes the Rail Trail, a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly corridor that will run along the Santa Fe rail line.
“The Rail Trail is designed to provide a fast, efficient route for non-motorized travel, allowing residents and commuters to navigate the city without relying on cars,” Rachael said. “This integration between the pedestrian bridge and the Rail Trail will offer an uninterrupted route for those looking to walk or bike around the city, fostering a healthier and more sustainable transportation culture.”
Funding for the Oxford pedestrian bridge comes from a federal grant the city received, which covers 80% of the project costs. Rachael explained that the remaining 20% will be covered by the city and supplemented by funds from a development agreement in relation to the apartments being built at the former Sam’s Automotive site along Oxford Avenue and Navajo Street.
Rachael added that the new bridge will encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transportation.
Members of the community, including Mayor Othoniel Sierra and Noah Kaplan, the founder of Vibrant Englewood, are excited for the bridge but both have also raised concerns about the design of the bridge.
“As Mayor Othoniel Sierra has raised multiple times at council meetings, the current design of the bridge may have a negative impact on its usefulness,” Kaplan said. “The location of the bridge requires users to ascend from the sidewalk level, cross the bridge and then descend on the other side, which potentially requires significantly more time and energy than simply crossing at the current crosswalk.”
Kaplan said overall Vibrant Englewood is happy to see the city investing in infrastructure that helps the community move toward a connected network of safe and convenient transportation routes for all types of people.
For more information, visit https://www.engaged.englewoodco.gov/oxford-ave.