US 6 Clifton Transportation Study

Study Overview

CDOT has conducted a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study that examined the need for transportation improvements along the US 6 corridor through Clifton to improve:

  • mobility and reduce congestion;
  • corridor and intersection operations;
  • multimodal facilities; and
  • safety for all users

This study focused on the US 6 corridor, beginning at I-70B and ending just east of 33 Road. This section of US 6 is a congested urban corridor through the unincorporated Mesa County neighborhood of Clifton and serves as the community's main street. The US 6 corridor is a multimodal facility, which provides commuter access as well as access to an elementary school, the U.S. Post Office and other local businesses.

CDOT undertook this project to develop a more thorough understanding of the corridor. The study evaluated the existing and future operating conditions and features of the corridor with the goal of identifying anticipated problem areas, and developing and screening a reasonable range of potential improvements to improve operations and safety of the corridor for all modes of transportation—including non-motorized travel.

Outcomes

  • The project team worked with stakeholders to analyze transportation issues, and explore a range of short- and long-term improvements to improve operational performance and safety, and potentially reduce congestion along the US 6 corridor.
  • The study assisted CDOT, public agencies and resource agencies in identifying issues of importance to each respective agency. Staff from the following provided input: Mesa County, Palisade and Grand Junction, and agencies such as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Grand Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (GVMPO) and Grand Valley Transit.

Key PEL Study Elements

  • Identified the transportation vision for the US 6 corridor
  • Completed the study in accordance with the CDOT PEL approach, including:
    • Public outreach
    • Direct involvement with local governments and community groups within the corridor area
    • Coordination with state and federal resource agencies
    • Documentation of study process, findings, and recommendations to NEPA standards, so information can be utilized or referenced in a future NEPA document
    • PEL documentation for FHWA concurrence
    • Identification of existing and potential future transportation issues along the US 6 study corridor
    • Establishing a plan for short- and long-term transportation improvements
    • Estimation of conceptual cost of recommended transportation improvements

About the PEL Approach

The PEL study approach is used to identify transportation issues and environmental concerns, which can be applied to make planning decisions and for planning analysis. PEL studies link planning to environmental issues and result in useful information that may ultimately be used to prepare a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study and final design.