Centennial’s transportation network is receiving some important upgrades. While construction cones and shifted traffic lanes can be frustrating today, several projects underway or in planning are intended to create safer, better-connected routes for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders.
Here are the improvements Centennial residents should be watching, along with the practical reasons they matter.
A Safer Crossing at Arapahoe Road
Construction began in spring 2026 on the Lone Tree Creek Trail Underpass at Arapahoe Road. The new underpass will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to travel beneath Arapahoe Road between South Revere Parkway and South Potomac Street.
Currently, trail users must cross busy vehicle traffic near Revere Parkway. When the project is completed in spring 2027, people will be able to remain on the trail without using the existing crosswalk. (Centennial)
Why it matters: This is more than a recreational improvement. The underpass will create a safer route for families, runners, cyclists and people traveling between nearby neighborhoods, businesses and Cherry Creek State Park. During construction, drivers should watch for lane shifts and changing traffic patterns on Arapahoe Road.
Colorado Boulevard Is Being Redesigned
Centennial is also moving forward with Colorado Boulevard Multimodal Improvements between Orchard Road and County Line Road.
The plan considers roadway changes, shared-use paths, pedestrian improvements, landscaping and safer connections along a corridor that currently offers limited space for anyone traveling outside a vehicle. The project supports Centennial’s broader Transportation Master Plan and its goal of creating streets that work for multiple forms of transportation. (Centennial)
Why it matters: Changes to lane configurations, intersections and sidewalks can influence commute times, neighborhood access and pedestrian safety. Residents who live near Colorado Boulevard or regularly use the corridor should follow project updates and construction notices.
Everyday Road Maintenance Still Counts
Not every transportation project arrives with a dramatic ribbon-cutting. Centennial’s ongoing Street Rehabilitation Program repairs aging pavement and identifies streets scheduled for maintenance.
These projects may bring temporary closures, noise, parking restrictions and detours, but they can help prevent smaller pavement problems from becoming larger and more expensive repairs. Centennial’s broader Capital Improvement Program is updated annually as infrastructure needs, priorities and available funding change. (Centennial)
Why it matters: Checking the city’s project maps before planning a commute, school drop-off or neighborhood event can save residents from an unpleasant encounter with the orange-cone maze.
Transit Connections Are Changing Too
Centennial residents using the Dry Creek, County Line, Arapahoe at Village Center and Orchard stations should continue checking current RTD rail schedules and service alerts.
RTD implemented regional rail changes on June 7, 2026, while downtown track reconstruction continues. Although work may occur outside Centennial, interruptions and route changes elsewhere in the system can still affect local passengers traveling downtown or making connections. (RTD Denver)
Transit access will become even more important as Midtown Centennial develops around the Dry Creek light-rail station. The city envisions a more walkable district connecting housing, workplaces, public spaces and transit. (Centennial)
Why Residents Should Pay Attention
Transportation projects shape far more than traffic. They influence emergency access, business visibility, neighborhood safety, property values, accessibility and the amount of time residents spend getting from one place to another.
They also require long-term funding. Centennial has warned that existing revenue may not be enough to maintain current service levels for roads, bridges and traffic signals beginning in 2028. (Centennial)
Residents can monitor active construction, review project plans and find opportunities for public input through Centennial’s City Projects and Initiatives portal. A few minutes spent checking the map today could prevent a detour tomorrow and help residents understand where Centennial is headed next.
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I wish there was more info about how to give feedback directly on these plans. City Portal is good but I miss the days of flyers in the mail!
Love seeing Centennial invest in multiple ways of getting around. Not everyone drives and better sidewalks help parents and older folks too.
A little worried that construction will mean my RTD commute to DU will be even longer. Not much choice with parking so expensive though.
Thank you for sharing your concern, the RTD rail updates can definitely affect commute times, especially during construction periods. It's a good idea to keep an eye on service alerts for any changes that could impact your trip to DU.
Glad someone finally acknowledged that even ‘small’ road repairs matter. Potholes on Easter Ave were getting out of control last spring!
We appreciate your comment, those routine repairs really do make a difference in keeping roads like Easter Ave safe and smooth for everyone.
Worried about funding for all these improvements. Will we see tax increases soon or are there other ways the city is planning to pay?
Thanks for mentioning business access. The construction last year on Smoky Hill almost killed my favorite bakery! Hope they support local shops through these detours.
Does anyone know if the new underpass will get lighting at night? That makes a big difference for safety, especially in winter.
Street maintenance never sounds exciting but it makes a huge difference, especially in the winter. Glad it isn’t just about the flashy projects!
The Midtown Centennial idea sounds so cool, like the walkable districts in some bigger cities. I’m all for making it easier to get around without driving everywhere.
Pam DonovanSame here! I used to live closer to downtown Denver and liked being able to walk to shops and the RTD. Would be cool to have something similar here in Centennial without needing the car all the time.
Centennial should try more open houses or town halls about these plans. I’d like to actually talk to someone about how these changes affect my street.
Good reminder to check the city’s maps before heading out. Got surprised by a detour last summer and it added 20 minutes to daycare drop-off!
Hmm… I’ll believe better bike infrastructure when I see it. Too many projects promise this and then it just means a narrow painted line.
More landscaping along Colorado Blvd sounds nice! Anything to make it look less like a giant slab of concrete.
I just hope they finish on schedule. Last road project by my house took way longer than they said it would.
As a runner, that Lone Tree Creek trail underpass is awesome news. I’ve had to wait at that busy crosswalk so many times!
Seems like every year there’s talk of not enough funding for these projects. Wish the state or county would give us more to work with. Centennial is growing fast!
With all the growth around Dry Creek station, I hope they add more sidewalks and bike racks. Getting around by foot isn’t always easy right now.
Happy the city is keeping up with repairs instead of letting the roads fall apart. Driving gets bumpy on my street by the end of winter every year.
Thank you! Ongoing maintenance is a priority for the city, especially after winter wear, and your feedback helps highlight where repairs are needed most.
I use the RTD stations to commute downtown, so thanks for the heads up about schedule changes. Always fun when your train just doesn’t show up!
Ugh, construction season is here, huh? I guess short term pain for long term gain. I just wish the noise didn’t start SO early!
Living near Colorado Blvd, I’m all for the updates as long as they actually help slow down the traffic by my neighborhood. Sometimes it feels like a racetrack here.
That's a great point. The Colorado Boulevard improvements are designed with pedestrian safety, traffic calming, and neighborhood access in mind, so hopefully you'll notice a positive change after the upgrades.
The underpass on Arapahoe Road is such a great idea. Crossing there always feels risky with all the cars! Glad they’re making it safer for people who walk and ride bikes.