Central Park Boulevard Bridge 

Matrix performed bridge type selection studies and subsequently designed a new viaduct structure to carry Central Park Boulevard (CPB) - a major arterial connecting areas south and north of Sand Creek - over intervening features. The viaduct will carry six lanes of CPB traffic over Smith Road, a UPRR mainline track, RTD’s East Corridor light rail line, and Sand Creek. The structure also spans the Sand Creek Trail located on the north bank of the creek.

Because of the overall size and cost of the structure, Matrix was asked to evaluate the feasibility of building the bridge with only four traffic lanes initially, with provisions to widen the structure to six lanes in the future when traffic volumes warrant.

Matrix developed four alternative structure types with three feasible span configurations and then evaluated each of these critically in order to identify the most cost effective and aesthetically pleasing solution for this highly visible bridge. The ability to easily widen the bridge in the future was an important criterion in the evaluation. Span lengths ranged from 100 to 220 feet. The five alternatives studied included:

• A five-span continuous cast-in-place concrete box-girder
• A five-span spliced, continuous, precast/ post-tensioned concrete U-girder
• Two alternative five-span continuous, welded steel plate-girders
• A six-span spliced, precast concrete bulb-tee girder