Walking path into downtown Minturn will receive new sidewalk thanks to CDOT grant
John LaConte/Vail Daily
Skiers walking back to town after taking the Minturn Mile backcountry route may soon have a sidewalk for part of the route, thanks to a CDOT grant awarded to the town in December.
Minturn received a $226,800 grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation on Dec. 27 as part of Gov. Jared Poils’ Revitalizing Main Streets grant program, which seeks to “strengthen Colorado’s downtowns and ensure that cities, downtowns, and communities across the state are safe, accessible, and welcoming to all.”
The program began in March 2021 with a $30 million allocation from the state legislature as a part of Colorado’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, and was later continued for another 10 years with $85 million in additional funding.
Local governments can apply for grants through the program, and Minturn applied in 2023 to see its North Minturn Connector project completed.
The goal of the North Minturn Connector project is to “close the gaps in pedestrian connectivity to downtown Minturn and promote economic and community development by creating walkable, accessible routes for all residents, employees, and visitors,” according to the town.
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Town Manager Michelle Metteer said the town is excited to receive the grant, which will be paired with $25,000 in matching funds to construct pedestrian infrastructure from the Bellm Bridge along the intersection of Railroad Avenue, Eagle River Street, and Main Street to Minturn Road, along Railroad Avenue.
“This grant will help residents in the northern residential Minturn area access the downtown via new sidewalks and added traffic calming measures to make for a safe and enjoyable mobility experience with the benefit of easy access to Minturn’s downtown shops and restaurants,” Metteer said.
Polis and CDOT awarded eight Revitalizing Main Streets grants totaling $1.7 million in December.
“These investments will make our unique downtown areas more fun, improve safety, and create public spaces that drive economic growth while making the Colorado we love more accessible to pedestrians, bikers, buses, and drivers alike,” Polis said.
With the CDOT funding, Minturn will complete the following improvements along the roadway segment between Bellm Bridge and Minturn Road:
- Construct 3,280 square feet of ADA-compliant 5-foot asphalt sidewalk with CDOT Type 2 parallel curb ramps, expansion of an existing curb extension, and wood fencing
- Establish 700 square feet of 6-foot asphalt sidewalk across the Union Pacific railroad tracks with truncated domes at the crossing
- Install traffic calming measures, including a speedbump, 1,168 lf of white striping, reflective paint, and pavement markings for two pedestrian crosswalks
- Re-install signage at appropriate intersections and lanes
- Relocate the existing fire hydrant and repair landscaping
In the summer, the project will provide enhanced pedestrian access to the trailheads at Lionshead Rock, Game Creek Trail and the Eagle County ECO Trail (which ends where the North Minturn Connector project will begin).
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Of the 400 wage and salary jobs in Minturn, 90% are estimated to be filled by people who live outside the town, according to Minturn’s application for the grant.
“Current census data shows that 9.5% of residents in Eagle County Tract 6, where the project is located, walk to work,” according to the North Minturn Connector project narrative. “Additionally, Minturn largely operates on a seasonal, tourist-oriented economy, meaning transportation infrastructure must be able to accommodate additional demands placed by visitors and part-time residents living or staying north of the downtown area.”
CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said grants like the one received by Minturn will encourage physical activity and enhance local economic vitality.
“Through this approach, we are grateful to be able to set an example of how statewide transportation agencies can work cohesively with local municipalities to build stronger, healthier, and thriving communities,” Lew said.