Agenda Date: 07/15/2025
Subject:
Title
Resolution 62-2025: Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District regarding construction and maintenance of the County Line Road Shared Use Path Project
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Brent Soderlin, Director of Public Works & Utilities |
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Brent Thompson, City Engineer |
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Shane Roberts, Senior Transportation Planner |
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Presentations: |
N/A |
PURPOSE:
City council consideration of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District regarding Construction and Maintenance of the County Line Road Shared Use Path Project.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Safe Community; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The County Line Road Shared Use Path Connections Project includes pedestrian and bicyclist safety and accessibility elements to connect the existing bike lanes along Southpark Lane to the High Line Canal Trail and C470 Trail, as well as provide missing bicycle and pedestrian facilities along County Line Road.
The City of Littleton is partnering with several agencies to build the County Line Road Shared Use Path Connections Project. This resolution would approve an IGA with Highlands Ranch Metro District (HRMD) to document the City’s authority construct this project and clarify maintenance and replacement responsibilities once the project has been constructed.
BACKGROUND:
Littleton is fortunate to have many regional trails running through the city; however, some areas are lacking good connections to those facilities. This project will improve connectivity at the southern end of the city by filling some existing gaps along County Line Road, between Broadway and Southpark Lane, and improving access between the High Line Canal Trail, the C-470 Regional Trail, and an existing trailhead parking lot.
The C-470 Regional Trail is an incredible amenity over 30 miles long, which provides connections from Golden to Parker, including access to such destinations as Lookout Mountain, North Dinosaur Park, Chatfield State Park, and Cherry Creek State Park, and connections to many other regional trails, including Bear Creek Trail, Mary Carter Greenway, and Cheery Creek Trail. This project places focus and provides an important connection in Littleton via north-south routes.
There is currently no clear bike connection between where the bike lane ends at the Southpark Lane and County Line Road intersection to the High Line Canal Trailhead southwest of that intersection. This trailhead provides access to the High Line Canal Trail and the C-470 Trail. Additionally, enhanced multimodal improvements are planned for Southpark Lane (protected intersection) and Broadway (shared use path), but there is a need for a defined and safe facility along County Line Road between the two roadways and to provide a connection to the High Line Canal Trailhead for multimodal users. The proposed expanded multimodal facility along County Line Road will also support multimodal access to planned recreational facilities (pickleball courts) on adjacent properties owned by the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District. The existing intersection of the High Line Canal Trail and the C-470 Trail needs safety improvements. Trail conditions have deteriorated, users must navigate challenging horizontal and vertical trail geometrics, and speed differentials exist for bicyclists traveling in varying directions.
The County Line Road Shared Use Path Project is funded through DRCOG’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) which is a program to fund regionally significant projects, especially those aimed at improving multimodal facilities and operations. The TIP grant provides $3,300,000 in construction funding, with 80% federal and state funding ($2,700,000) and 20% local agency match ($630,000).
Prior Actions or Discussions
An IGA with CDOT for design and construction of the County Line Road Shared Use Path Connections Project was approved by city council as Resolution 88-2023 on August 15, 2023.
The first amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with David Evans and Associates, Inc. was approved by City Council as Resolution 44-2024 on April 2, 2024, and a second amendment as Resolution 127-2024 on December 17, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this License Agreement is not approved, the City will be responsible for all day-to-day maintenance of the portion of the project currently within the HRMD maintenance area. This would require the City to allocate additional resources-including equipment acquisition and staff time-to maintain this section following construction.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 62-2025 approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District regarding construction and maintenance of the County Line Road Shared Use Path Project.