Department of Public Works
Reference: Transportation Master Plan Update 2026
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez City Manager
Prepared By: Greg Labrie, Director of Public Works
Date Prepared: February 26, 2026
PURPOSE
Requesting City Council’s future approval and adoption of the Transportation Master Plan update.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
The City Council formulated and adopted a comprehensive Transportation Master Plan in 2016. Since then, several influences have resulted in a need to review and update the existing plan. As part of the revision process, a Public Meeting, an Interactive Map, and an internal cross-departmental review were conducted.
Over the time that has elapsed, the Land Use Development Code, Brighton Bicycle, Pedestrian, Multi-modal Plan, and Vision Zero have been modified or developed, along with Municipal Code amendments for planning and transportation. The revision of the Transportation Master Plan evaluated the current plan, provided additional options for roadway sections, defined priorities for transportation, added requirements for traffic calming, and updated the overall report. The plan modifications provide congruity with other plans, guiding documents, and transportation strategies.
Staff will present a summary of the major and minor changes in the revised 2026 Transportation Master Plan and will provide detailed documentation outlining the specific changes in each chapter for review. Staff will be available to answer questions about specific revisions. The presentation will focus on summarizing the changes, while the documentation will include a detailed account of each revision. If requested, staff is prepared to provide an extended presentation that covers the specifics of each change throughout the Transportation Master Plan chapters and offers in-depth information about each modification to the plan.
Some key revisions were as follows:
• Emphasized Transportation Goals
• Prioritized Strategic Objectives
• 5-year Integrated Capital Project List
• Incorporated Vision Zero Elements
• Added Traffic Calming Requirements
• Provided Additional and Alternative Transportation Sections
The summary of changes in greater detail has been classified as major and minor changes and are summarized in greater detail below.
The major changes included:
• Right of way for roadways - conversion from easements
• Incorporation of multiple plans such as Land Use, Vision Zero, Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Multi-modal plans
• Deletion of 2020 Action Plans for completion of strategies and implementation
• The Vision Plan was incorporated into the Transportation Master Plan
• Updated the 5-year capital plan using the existing 5-year budgeted capital
• RTD comments and revisions from RTD were directly implemented
• Sidewalk minimums were modified from 4’ to 5’
• Old strategic plans and action plans were removed as the strategies were completed or implemented
• Traffic calming was added directly into the plan to ensure speed mitigation as a byproduct of the Vision Zero Plan and speed mitigation efforts
• Mobility on demand (Micro-transit) was incorporated into the plan
• State Highway 7 (Bridge Street east of US-85) realignment was removed from the plan
• Collector roadways were removed from the conversation easement east of US-85 and south of Bromley Lane
• Roundabout preferences at intersections that could be signalized were added
The minor changes included:
• Minor language changes
• Consolidation of text and language
• Expansion of objectives such as safety priorities
• Provided design factors for roadways per each classification
• Provided design elements for each roadway classification
• Bus stop details were revised to current standards
• Baseline Road was revised from a major arterial to a minor arterial
• Transportation metrics were removed and have been incorporated into the City of Brighton performance metrics
A detailed slide deck will show the specific changes that were made in the 2026 update as compared to the 2016 TMP.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact.
OPTIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Direct staff to proceed with the proposed revised plan and bring it back to the City Council for adoption by resolution or direct staff to modify the plan or direct staff not to proceed.
Attachments:
Ø Specific Changes in 2026 TMP Update
Ø Revised 2026 Transportation Master Plan
Ø Xcel spreadsheet of the original capital improvement list
Ø PowerPoint Presentation