Downtown Estes Loop Project
Prime contractor, Flatiron Constructors, Inc. under contract with the Federal Highway Administration Central Federal Lands Highway Division are constructing the Downtown Estes Loop Project. The Town of Estes Park and the Colorado Department of Transportation are contributing partners in this important traffic improvement project that has been a long time coming.
About the Project
Downtown Estes Loop Project Overview:
The project originated through the Town’s 2013 application for Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) funds to construct a one-way couplet along Elkhorn Avenue, Moraine Avenue and Riverside Drive. Improvements consist of a 1.1-mile loop of Elkhorn Avenue, Moraine Avenue and Riverside Drives.
The Downtown Estes Loop project is expected to be finalized by January, 2025. Major construction will take place during non-peak months, January through June and October through December. The purpose of this project is to improve access to and from Rocky Mountain National Park by reducing travel time, congestion and pedestrian and vehicle conflicts through downtown Estes Park, as well as the associated negative impacts to the visitor experience.
When the final configuration is in place, a one-way traffic pattern will exist on Elkhorn Avenue westward from the intersection of Riverside Drive through the intersection at Moraine Avenue, and southward on Moraine Avenue to a new roundabout on Moraine Avenue that connects Crags Drive, Moraine Avenue/US Highway 36 and Riverside Drive. An eastbound one-way traffic pattern will exist from the roundabout, northward on West Riverside Drive over the newly constructed bridge onto East Riverside Drive, which will be a one-way street taking motorists northward back to the intersection of Elkhorn Avenue and Riverside Drive.
Timeline for Downtown Estes Loop Project
The construction team is keeping up with town events to minimize impacts when they occur. Should there be impacts affecting events, notification will be given on the project updates page. For more information on town events, please go to Visit Estes Park.
Project Schedule
Fall/Winter 2023 to Spring 2024:
Improvements to the Elkhorn/Moraine intersection
Improvements to Elkhorn/East Riverside intersection
Improvements to the post office parking lot
East Riverside Drive storm line construction
Crags Drive and Moraine Avenue roundabout concrete paving
Baldwin Park retaining walls
New stairs at Moraine Avenue and West Riverside Drive
River wall from the new bridge to the Rockwell Street bridge
Summer 2024 to Fall/Winter 2024:
Improvements to Elkhorn/Riverside continued
Resurfacing Moraine Avenue, Elkhorn Avenue and Rockwell Street
Reconstructing East Riverside Drive
Installing new landscaping and irrigation
Project Updates
Stay up to speed on the latest traffic impacts including road and sidewalk closures, detour routes, and other important updates.
1.31.23 Community Meeting Presentation
6.20.23 Community Meeting Presentation & Flier
Presentation video link for the 6.20.23 community meeting.
