CDOT tells town officials of various options; prices start at $346,000

The current three-way stop at the intersection of Main Street and north Third Street at Highway 69 north will soon be a four-way stop.

Several Colorado Department of Transportation officials met with Westcliffe town board members last Wednesday to discuss improvements at the intersection with five proposals put on the table.

The first three options were to make the intersection a four-way stop, improve signage, restripe and modify corners to give a wider radius for turns.

The first three options also eliminated current parking at the corners, with option three having the most impact to the northeast corner where the Stage Stop sits.

Under four-way stop option one, no physical changes would be made to the corners  other than  the installation of curb ramps – two at each corner.

With  four-way stop option two, the northeast corner  would be modified  to a 30-foot  radius,  curb ramps would be updated and  some of the outdoor seating  at the Stage Stop would be eliminated. 

The  third four-way stop  option  would modify the  northeast corner  to a 50-foot  corner radius, curb ramps would be modified and most of the outdoor  seating at the Stage Stop would be eliminated.

Estimated cost for options one, two and three were $346,135, $361,950 and $371,661, respectively.

The fourth option on the table was a 90- foot diameter inscribed painted circle  roundabout at a cost of $544,426.

Just like with the other three options, street parking would be eliminated on each corner. Additionally, the Stage Stop would lose some of its outside seating area and sidewalk width on the northwest and southeast corners would be reduced. “I just don’t think that is a good option,” said mayor Christy Veltrie.

Last on the table was rerouting truck traffic to Fourth Street in front of the main fire station at a cost of slightly more than $2 million. Option five was eliminated due to the extensive scope of work that would need to be completed and the cost.

Also taken off the table was the painted roundabout, leaving the first three options—all four-way stop signs.

Following discussion, which included C-DOT officials saying they wanted to be a partner with the town, it was decided that a four-way stop was the most viable option.

No decision was made regarding which of the three four-ways stop signs to choose, however, the general consensus appeared to be that option one or two were likely the best as option three eliminated most all of the outdoor seating area for the Stage Stop.

C-DOT officials noted funding was currently available for design, however, it would be some three to four years before the project could be competed.

In the interim, a fourth stop sign will be placed at the intersection within the next few weeks.

Additionally, warning signs will be posted and some striping will be done.

There is no cost to the town for the interim or permanent solution.

Westcliffe town officials will send a letter to C-DOT indicating they are in favor of a four-way stop at the intersection.

– Nora Drenner