Elati Street Corridor Study

The Elati Street Corridor Study is focused on creating an actionable vision and plan to transform the corridor into one that prioritizes safety and comfort for all users. Littleton has three distinct paths forward, ranging from targeted near-term safety fixes to full corridor reconstruction. These approaches are not competing alternatives. They are intended to be sequenced, beginning with what is achievable now and building toward the complete vision. The draft Implementation & Next Steps chapter(PDF, 983KB) provides additional detail on these approaches, including key tradeoffs, a phased implementation strategy, potential funding sources, and recommended next steps; a summary of this information is also provided below.

From the Shared Path Corridor preferred option, the project team has identified the following implementation options (A, B, and C). Staff is scheduled to present the three options to Littleton City Council on September 1, 2026.

Option A: Traffic Calming Only

Option A addresses Elati Street's most urgent safety deficiencies through intersection improvements and speed reduction measures that can proceed with available funding, without right-of-way (ROW) reallocation or reconstruction.

Key changes include

• Speed cushions at mid-block locations in each corridor segment.
• Raised crosswalks at key pedestrian crossing locations and school zones.
• Raised intersection at Euclid Avenue.
• Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at trail and priority crossings.
• Curb extensions (bulb-outs) to reduce crossing distances, slow turning movements, and daylight parking setbacks at intersections to improve pedestrian visibility.
• Directional ADA-compliant curb ramps at all upgraded crossings.
• Removal of the existing traffic circles, with alternative traffic calming to be installed at applicable locations.

Key considerations

• No sidewalk changes will occur within Option A. Sidewalk widening is technically compatible but requires expanding into City ROW adjacent to private front yards. Any widening would require individual property owner coordination and may trigger easement work. This does not prevent implementation, but it adds complexity and cost beyond typical traffic calming.
• Coordination with Littleton Public Schools (LPS) will occur during the design phase to reconfigure the circulation at Runyon Elementary School.
• No impacts to existing ROW, landscaping, or trees. All improvements will occur within the existing pavement width.
• Improvements could occur along the entirety of the corridor, from Littleton Boulevard to the High Line Canal.
• Implementation will be coordinated with the 2028 pavement project and can be funded through existing budgets.
• Option A leverages existing traffic-calming tools defined in the Littleton Traffic Calming Toolbox (PDF).

Option B: Traffic Calming Plus Shared Space Retrofit

Option B adds a restriped, physically buffered shared-use space on the west side of the corridor, timed to coordinate with the City's planned 2028 pavement resurfacing. Rather than rebuilding the street, this approach reallocates the existing pavement footprint, converting one parking lane into a protected pedestrian and bicycle shared space, while retaining all Option A traffic calming elements.

Key changes include

• Restriping of the west side for a 10 to 12 foot protected shared pedestrian and bicycle space.
• Physical buffer between the shared path and travel lane using vertical separation materials (subject to community material preference).
• Parking consolidated to the east side; an estimated 70 percent of existing spaces on the east side are retained.
• Shared space implemented south of Caley Avenue where pavement width allows.
• Coordination with the 2028 pavement project reduces cost and disruption.

Key considerations

• Option B does not widen existing sidewalks. The west-side shared space functionally serves pedestrians and bicyclists on that side. If east-side sidewalk widening is desired, the same ROW considerations apply as under Option A.
• Coordination with LPS will occur during the design phase to reconfigure the circulation at Runyon Elementary School.
• Parking considerations will occur through design and property owner coordination.
• No impacts to existing ROW, landscaping, or trees. All improvements will occur within the existing pavement width.
• Improvements would only occur south of Caley Avenue to the High Line Canal.
• Implementation will be coordinated with the 2028 pavement project and can be funded through existing budgets.

Option C: Full Corridor Reconstruction

Option C is the complete, long-term vision: a full rebuild that delivers the permanent Shared Path Corridor. This is the highest-cost approach, dependent on major capital funding, but it produces the most durable and highest-quality outcome and creates the best conditions for addressing ROW constraints systematically.

Key changes include

• Full roadway reconstruction with 10-foot travel lanes.
• A 10 to 12 foot continuous shared-use path on the west side with a 4 to 6 foot landscaped buffer.
• A 5 to 6 foot ADA-compliant sidewalk on the east side.
• All Option A traffic calming treatments built to permanent standards.
• Permanent curb line adjustments and new curb ramps throughout.
• Raised intersections at all major cross streets.
• East-side sidewalk widening evaluated segment by segment; constrained areas require property owner coordination.

Key considerations

• Dependent on funding; likely a 10-plus year timeline to secure grants or debt financing.
• Parking considerations will occur through design and property owner coordination.

Summary

Draft Alternatives Memo Elati Street.pdf(PDF, 9MB)

The Alternatives Analysis evaluated three corridor-wide design concepts for Elati Street. Each alternative was developed using existing conditions data, crash and speed analysis, public engagement findings, and right-of-way constraints identified throughout the study process.

The three alternatives evaluated included:

• Option 1 – Shared Path Corridor: A shared-use path for walking and biking separated from traffic by a landscaped buffer.
• Option 2 – Bicycle-Focused Corridor: A protected two-way cycle track with separated pedestrian facilities.
• Option 3 – Pedestrian-Focused Corridor: Wider sidewalks and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure without a protected bicycle facility.

Each alternative included a common set of traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements, such as raised crossings, curb extensions, narrower travel lanes, and enhanced intersection visibility.

The project team evaluated each option using the Modal Priority & Alternatives Evaluation Tool, community input, and corridor feasibility considerations. Option 1: Shared Path Corridor received the highest combined evaluation score and the strongest overall community support across survey respondents.

The preferred alternative was identified based on:

• Corridor safety needs
• Community priorities and feedback
• Right-of-way feasibility
• Multimodal connectivity
• Consistency with adopted City transportation goals

As the project advances, the preferred alternative will continue to be refined based on corridor segment conditions, stakeholder coordination, and future implementation opportunities.

The City of Littleton conducted the third and final phase of public engagement for the Elati Street Corridor Study to receive input from the public on material preference and phased implementation process of the preferred alternative identified in Phase 2. In May and June 2026, the city hosted an in-person open house and live demonstration, as well as a virtual public meeting and survey.

View the Elati Street public engagement phase three summary document.(PDF, 2MB)

In September and October 2025, the project team held a virtual public meeting and survey to gather feedback on potential options that might meet the needs of residents who live on and use the corridor. At a high level, here is what we heard:

• Traffic calming was the most popular vehicular roadway improvement, followed by improved intersection visibility.
• Wider, continuous sidewalks and safer bike facilities were among the most popular multimodal improvements.
• Of the three potential design options for the corridor, the Shared Use Path Corridor option was the most popular overall.
• Temporary materials—such as the tall yellow and white flexposts used on Elati & Arapahoe—were not popular among the public.

As the project enters the final phase, this information will be used to guide design decisions and help us better prioritize short-term improvements on the corridor.

View the Elati Street public engagement phase two summary document(PDF, 530KB)

In June 2025, the project team held a virtual public meeting and survey to learn more about how Elati Street is used and what issues the public would like to see addressed. The following provides a detailed summary of the results from that online meeting and survey.

View the Elati Street public engagement phase one summary document(PDF, 567KB)

The Existing Conditions Factbook documents current transportation, safety, and infrastructure conditions along Elati Street. The entire Fact Book can be accessed at the link below, but here are some highlights of the findings:

• Sidewalks – Vary in width from 2.5 to 5.5 feet. Many segments fall below current ADA standards; sidewalks are often attached directly to the curb or missing entirely north of Caley Avenue.
• Bicycle Facilities – Range from protected or buffered lanes to shared-lane markings or no facility. Facility types change between segments, reducing continuity and teh safety of the bike facilities.
• Traffic Volumes and Speeds – Average daily traffic ranges from approximately 250 to 2,300 vehicles depending on the segment. Speed studies show 85th percentile speeds above posted limits in every segment.
• Crash Data – Between December 2019 and December 2024, 24 crashes were reported along the corridor, including one fatal crash involving a bicyclist. Intersections at Caley Avenue, Euclid Avenue, and Littleton Boulevard experienced three or more crashes each.
• School Zones – Designated school zones with school flashers are present near Runyon Elementary and Euclid Middle School. Planned circulation changes at both schools (2025 bond projects) will affect access patterns.
• Parking – On-street parking is generally permitted throughout the corridor, with restrictions near schools and select blocks. Parking occupancy is highest near residential segments and trail crossings, but overall the amount of available parking is greater than the demand.
• Transit Access – No RTD routes run directly on Elati Street. RTD Route 66 (Littleton Boulevard) and Route 0 (Broadway) are within walking distance. Littleton’s Omnibus service is also available in the corridor area.

View the Existing Conditions Factbook (draft)(PDF, 21MB)

Case for Action

The Case for Action summarizes the primary needs and opportunities identified along Elati Street through data analysis and community input. Five key focus areas have been established to guide evaluation of alternatives and design concepts:

1. Safety – Address crash history, sidewalk gaps, narrow sidewalks, and inconsistent bicycle facilities.
2. Vehicle Speeds and Traffic Calming – 85th percentile speeds along the corridor range from 27 to 33 mph in areas posted at 25 mph.
3. Active Transportation Infrastructure – Sidewalks are often less than 5 feet wide or missing; bicycle facilities are inconsistent, ranging from protected lanes to shared lanes to no facility at all.
4. Neighborhood Context – Community input highlighted interest in balancing safety and access improvements with maintaining residential character.
5. Health and Connectivity – The corridor connects to multiple schools, parks, and trails, and data show a higher proportion of short trips (under 4 miles) in the study area compared to citywide averages.

View the Case for Action (draft)(PDF, 3MB)

The Elati Street Corridor Study will include four phases:

1. Identify Corridor Issues, Needs, and Goals

   An existing conditions assessment paired with public input will provide an understanding of how the corridor functions today, clear needs and issues to address, and what is desired for the future.

2. Create and Evaluate Alternatives

   Multiple alternatives will be developed and evaluated against feasibility, level of potential improvement, and how well they address the needs.

3. Develop Quick Implementation Concepts

   Early implementation opportunities will be identified and moved into design and concept development to facilitate meaningful changes in the near term that can also be built on for long-term changes in the corridor.

4. Final Plan
   A final plan will be developed with an implementation plan identifying next steps and funding opportunities.

Traffic calming on Elati Street is not new. The City installed traffic circles along portions of the corridor beginning in 1999 as part of Littleton’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. Additional traffic calming improvements were installed along Elati in the early 2000s.

A City evaluation completed in 2005 reviewed traffic speeds and volumes before and after traffic calming projects, including traffic circles, were installed throughout Littleton. On Elati Street, the evaluation found that the traffic circles reduced average vehicle speeds. For example, average speeds between Peakview Avenue and Ridge Road decreased from 32 mph to 30 mph, while average speeds between Ridge Road and Geddes Avenue decreased from 28 mph to 25 mph. The evaluation concluded that the City’s traffic calming program had been effective at slowing traffic, particularly in reducing very high speeds on residential streets. The evaluation also noted that some speed reductions diminished over time as drivers became more familiar with the traffic circles.

While the traffic circles have provided effective traffic calming, transportation design practices have evolved since they were installed more than 25 years ago. Current best practices generally do not recommend combining this type of neighborhood traffic circle with conventional on-street bike lanes. This is an important consideration as the City evaluates the long-term design of Elati Street and how existing traffic calming can work with future bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

View the City’s 2005 Traffic Calming Evaluation(PDF, 2MB)

As part of Littleton’s Safer Streets Program, Elati Street was identified as a priority for safety improvements to enhance the City’s multimodal transportation network. It is primarily residential with many homes on either side of the corridor, multiple schools along the corridor and nearby, as well as multiple trails connecting parks and other nearby destinations.  It has been identified in the City's Transportation Master Plan as a Neighborhood Connector and a pedestrian and bike priority street (p. 125-127).

Corridor map