Salida's Gateway
The vision for Oak Street (CO 291) and the intersection with Rainbow Boulevard (US 50)
What's Going On?
The City of Salida and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) have teamed up to plan for a safe, vibrant, and multi-modal gateway along Oak Street (CO 291) from the intersection with Rainbow Boulevard (US 50).
Why is this happening?
We recognize that Salida, much like a lot of Colorado, is experiencing growth. We understand that planning for this future growth in a thoughtful, data and community driven method is key to maintaining the city's character and charm.
One area of future concern continues to be Oak Street on the east side of Salida from Rainbow Boulevard to Walnut Street.
In response, we've hired transportation experts to help us come up with some alternatives for the Oak Street corridor as well as the intersection of Oak Street and Rainbow Boulevard. These alternatives will safe, functional, and accessible to pedestrian and bicyclists while also being aesthetically pleasing and maintaining what makes Salida unique. We've also made sure that we align with Future 50 which was a study for US 50 completed in 2018.
To be clear, right now we are simply planning for the future.
Rest assured, CONSTRUCTION IS NOT IMMINENT.
OK, what exactly do you need from me?
Great question!
We've done a lot of the leg work and we've narrowed our options for this intersection down to a few choices. NOW IS YOUR TIME TO VOICE YOUR OPINION!
Keep scrolling through this website to find some maps, pictures, and diagrams. As you scroll through, various surveys will pop up which will either allow you to type your response or answer a quick question related to the content shown.
We value your input! You can choose to answer some, all, or none of the surveys. It's completely up to you. Fill out the form at the end with your contact information if you still have questions and one of our project experts will get in touch with you.
Please submit your survey responses by September 7, 2020.
Be sure to check back here in September for a summary of all the feedback we receive.
Thanks for your participation and enjoy!
Where is this?
Oak Street (CO 291) from Rainbow Boulevard (US 50) to Walnut St, Salida, Colorado
Three conceptual alternatives have been drawn up for this area. Each alternative brings its own look and feel.
As you scroll down, we'll point out the highlights for each alternative.
Don't forget to tell us what you think using the surveys!
Intersection Design Alternative #1 - Signalized Intersection
Feel free to pan around the map to explore on your own or keep scrolling to see some highlights of this alternative.
Traffic Signal
We've made room for a future traffic signal in this alternative. The signal won't be constructed until such point as it is warranted by technical standards and funding is available.
Planning Only
This leg will only be constructed with development by property owner and is shown for planning purposes only.
Oak Street
A raised median would be installed from Rainbow Blvd to the retail/residential driveway to align with CDOT access management standards.
Rainbow Boulevard
Similarly, a raised median would be install along Rainbow Blvd approximately from Caldwell Ave to Oak St to align with CDOT access management standards.
Intersection Design Alternative #1
Signalized Intersection
Continue scrolling through the concept sketch to view highlights of this alternative.
1 of 4 | Crosswalks
2 of 4 | Possible Future Tourist Information Center
3 of 4 | Landscaping
4 of 4 | Gateway and Signing
Intersection Design Alternative #2 - 5-Legged Roundabout
Feel free to pan around the map to explore on your own or keep scrolling to see some highlights of this alternative.
5-legged Roundabout
This alternative allows for all previously available routing options. However, this option also has the greatest risk of impacting neighboring properties.
Oak St
A raised median would be installed from the roundabout to the retail/residential driveway to align with CDOT access management standards.
Rainbow Blvd
Similarly, a raised median would be installed on Rainbow Blvd from just west of the Mountain Motel to the roundabout to align with CDOT access management standards.
U Turns OK
The roundabout would allow vehicles to make a U turn if so desired.
Intersection Design Alternative #2
5-Legged Roundabout
Continue scrolling through the concept sketch to view highlights of this alternative.
1 of 4 | Crosswalks
2 of 4 | Landscaping
3 of 4 | Decorative Slope Paving
4 of 4 | Gateway and Signing
Intersection Design Alternative #3 - Roundabout Couplet
Feel free to pan around the map to explore on your own or keep scrolling to see some highlights of this alternative.
Roundabout couplet
The roundabout presented here is perhaps a bit easier to navigate if unfamiliar with the area.
U Turns OK
Vehicles could make U turns at the roundabout at Rainbow Blvd.
Oak St
A raised median would be install on Oak St from the roundabout to Illinois Ave to align with CDOT access management standards.
Potential Roundabout at Illinois
A second roundabout at CO 291 and Illinois Ave could be constructed to improve route continuity and allow for business access while maintaining the raised median on Oak St.
U Turns OK
Vehicles could make U turns at the roundabout at Illinois Ave.
Rainbow Blvd
A raised median would also be installed from the Mountain Motel driveway to the roundabout to align with CDOT access management standards.
Intersection Design Alternative #3
Roundabout Couplet
Continue scrolling through the concept sketch to view highlights of this alternative.
1 of 4 | Crosswalks
2 of 4 | Landscaping
3 of 4 | Decorative Slope Paving
4 of 4 | Gateway and Signing
Click the buttons to show a map of each alternative.
Salida is beautiful.
We want to make sure that we compliment this beauty with the most suitable landscaping type.
We've developed 3 alternative landscaping types which can be applied to any of the intersection alternatives seen previously.
Oak Street (CO 291) should be a safe and accessible eastern gateway to Salida.
Pedestrians and bicyclists frequently use Oak Street as a favorite route.
As such, we have developed various concepts for Oak Street from Rainbow Boulevard (US 50) to Walnut Street that allow for various travel mode choices.
Oak St Alternative #1
Shared Use Path
Continue scrolling through the concept sketch to view highlights of this alternative.
1 of 6 | Thru Lanes
2 of 6 | Curb & Gutter and Shoulder
3 of 6 | Separated Shared Use Path
4 of 6 | Lighting
5 of 6 | Trees
6 of 6 | Landscaping Space
Oak St Alternative #2
On Street Bike Lanes
Continue scrolling through the concept sketch to view highlights of this alternative.
1 of 5 | Thru Lanes
2 of 5 | On Street Bike Lanes
3 of 5 | Sidewalk
4 of 5 | Lighting
5 of 5 | Trees
Oak St Alternative #3
Shared Use Path with Attached Sidewalk
Continue scrolling through the concept sketch to view highlights of this alternative.
1 of 6 | Thru Lanes
2 of 6 | Curb & Gutter
3 of 6 | Attached Sidewalk
4 of 6 | Attached Shared Use Path
5 of 6 | Lighting
6 of 6 | Trees
