US 6 Palisade Intersection Improvements

About the Project

This safety improvement project on US 6 in Palisade, Colorado (MP 42.45 to 43.01, Rupp Avenue to Iowa Avenue) includes:

  • Reconstructing the US 6/Elberta Avenue intersection into a concrete modern roundabout
  • Re-configuring the US 6/Iowa Avenue intersection
  • Constructing sidewalks between Rupp and Iowa Avenues
  • Modifying or eliminating existing frontage roads, including converting two-way frontage roads to one-way to improve multi-modal access (bicycles and pedestrians)
  • Anticipated reconstruction of approximately 500 feet of US 6 near the Elberta Avenue intersection

Other significant improvements include storm drain, water quality and signing and pavement marking improvements.

Work this Week & Lane Closures for US 6 Palisade Intersection Improvements

Project Facts

  • Construction Cost: $7.1 million
  • Contractor: KSK LLC
  • Timeline: January 2026 to October 2026
  • Location: US 6
    • Nearest Town/City: Palisade
    • Mile Point(s): MP 42.45 to MP 43.01
    • County: Mesa
US 6 Palisade Intersection Improvement Improvement project Elberta Avenue map
US 6 Palisade Intersection Improvement Improvement project Elberta Avenue map showing improvements to be made from Rupp Avenue to Iowa Avenue in Palisade. This will include a roundabout at Elberta Avenue and US 6, as well as one-way frontage roads both east and westbound and dedicated pedestrian and bike paths.

Project Benefits

  • Improve safety and operational concerns with the existing configuration of US 6 and the following frontage road intersections due to their close proximity to each other:
    • Rupp Avenue (37 1/10 Road)
    • Elberta Avenue
    • Iowa Avenue 
  • Improve traffic flow
  • Significantly reduce intersection wait times by minimizing or eliminating stops
  • Increase safety
  • Reduce severe crashes by eliminating left turns across traffic

Work Schedule

  • Work is expected to be completed late 2026
  • Work hours will be Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • April to Early July 2026
    Westbound roundabout construction on US 6 includes:
    • Roundabout concrete installation, north side of US 6
    • Asphalt paving on the first level
  • Early July to Mid September 
    Eastbound roundabout construction on US 6 includes:
    • Roundabout concrete installation, south side of US 6
    • Asphalt paving on the first level
  • September to Late Fall
    Final work includes:
    • Concrete installation to tie Elberta Avenue to US 6 and for business approaches
    • Asphalt paving on the final level
    • Striping and signage installation
    • Pedestrian crossing installation

Traffic Impacts

    • West 8th Street Frontage Road Traffic Pattern Change:
      • A shared-use lane is in effect on the West 8th Street Frontage Road between Logan Avenue and the Palisade Pharmacy parking lot. Motorists must exercise caution and share this single lane for both eastbound and westbound traffic in this block.
      • Traffic is restricted to one-way westbound only between Lincoln and Logan Avenues. Residents on West 8th Street, located between Lincoln and Logan Avenues, should use the alleyway behind their homes for vehicle access.
    • US 6 Detours:
      • Eastbound US 6 is detoured onto the South Frontage Road (G Road) near Rupp Avenue and will detour back onto US 6 near Iowa Avenue.
      • The South Frontage Road (G Road) is eastbound only, no westbound traffic.
      • Northbound Rupp Avenue is closed. Motorists exiting from Rupp Avenue need to detour south to Fairhaven and on to Montclair Avenue or Shiraz Avenue.
      • A delineated two-way pedestrian/non-motorized bicycle lane is in place on the Frontage Road South of US 6 (G Road).
      • Westbound US 6 traffic is detoured into the eastbound US 6 traffic lanes between Iowa Avenue and Rupp Avenue.
      • Westbound US 6 traffic accessing the neighborhoods south of US 6 between Rupp Avenue and Iowa Avenue may take a left turn on Rupp Avenue.
  • The following intersections on the north side of US 6 will be closed:
    • Elberta Avenue and the West 8th Street Frontage Road
    • Iowa Avenue and the West 8th Street Frontage Road
  • Access to local businesses will remain open
  • Refer to COtrip.org for real-time travel conditions and road closures