US 6 Clifton Transportation Study

Study complete

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

What is Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL)?

PEL is a study process approach that is typically used to identify transportation issues, along with environmental concerns, in a corridor or a specific location. It is generally conducted before any project construction phasing is identified, and before specific problems and solutions are known.

PEL studies can be used to make planning decisions and for planning analysis. These decisions and analyses, for example, can be used to identify and prioritize future projects, develop the purpose and need for a project, determine project size or length, and/or develop and refine a range of alternatives.

The PEL process can be useful to discover needs and desires when a corridor crosses multiple jurisdictions, and can be used as a prioritization tool. For example, a PEL study for a corridor could result in identification of multiple potential projects (i.e., capacity improvements for a portion of a corridor, and intersection improvements). Those can then be prioritized for implementation.

PEL studies should be able to link planning to environmental issues and result in useful information that can be carried forward into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. The adoption and use of a PEL study in the NEPA process is subject to determination by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Click here for more information about CDOT’s Planning and Environmental Linkages Program.

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.

Public Participation

Understanding the ideas, perspectives, and needs of key stakeholders in the corridor area is critical to building broadly supported decisions and solutions. CDOT provided multiple opportunities for the local jurisdictions, regional partners, and general public to engage and inform the study. The public outreach plan included the following:

Broad Public Outreach: The general public was actively engaged, ensuring meaningful input was provided on the goals and objectives, alternatives, and priorities for the phasing of recommended improvements. Two interactive public meetings were held:

Public Meeting #1 was held February 5, 2015 at Clifton Community Hall. At this meeting, the transportation study was introduced, the study process explained, and existing corridor condition information was presented. Input on corridor transportation issues and problem areas were solicited and ideas for potential solutions gathered.
- Click here to view documents presented at the Public Meeting #1.
- Click here for a summary of public comments received surrounding Public Meeting #1.

Public Meeting #2 was held September 29, 2015, at Clifton Community Hall. At this meeting, the alternatives evaluation and draft study recommendations were presented, and public input was solicited to refine the study recommendations before they were finalized.
- Click here to view documents displayed at the Public Meeting #2.
- Click here to view a summary of comments received surrounding Public Meeting #2.

Community Focus Group Meetings: In July 2015, during the alternatives development and evaluation process, the project team met with community resource panel focus groups representing stakeholders directly affected by the corridor transportation conditions and potential improvement alternatives.

Two Focus Groups were formed: one with area residents, commuters and multimodal advocates, and the other with corridor business representatives. The project team met with each of these groups on July 28, 2015 at the Clifton Hall to present improvement concepts and the initial alternatives evaluation and solicit feedback that will be used to shape the study's recommendations.

Technical Team: The Technical Team (TT) met frequently with CDOT and provided technical input as the study progressed. The TT included staff from the local communities of Mesa County, Palisade, and Grand Junction, and agencies including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Grand Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (GVMPO), and Grand Valley Transit. The members of the TT kept their respective elected officials updated and served as the primary connection with their communities and organizations.

Visioning Workshop: Early in the study, an interactive Visioning Workshop was held with the TT members to shape the goals and desired outcomes of the US 6 corridor transportation improvements. This was used to inform the project purpose and need and the development and screening of alternatives.