Red Lady Roundabout Project
Project Overview
Identified as a priority in the Town's Transportation Mobility Plan, the Red Lady Roundabout Project is a partnership between the Town, the Gunnison Watershed School District, Gunnison County, CDOT, and the project design team at Kimley Horn. Construction is anticipated to begin in Q4 2026 with the bulk of construction in 2027. The construction project is funded in part through a grant of $2.2M from the FHWA through the Safe Streets for All program.
The intersection at Sixth Street (CO 135) and Red Lady Ave has long been recognized as one of the more challenging locations in town for both safety and daily traffic operations, especially during school drop off and pick up times. The peanut-shaped roundabout design is intended to enhance the functionality of the two Red Lady Avenue intersections while significantly improving pedestrian safety. This design provides safer crossing opportunities for pedestrians and reduces traffic speeds. Creating a secure and efficient environment for all road users.
The current design concept reflects traffic modeling, engineering analysis, and feedback from community members and partner agencies. A key priority throughout the design process has been improving overall safety and improving connections for people walking, biking, or rolling in this area of town while maintaining slow but more efficient flow of traffic through this intersection.
Project Details
- Why a Roundabout?
- It improves safety for everyone: drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
- It slows traffic, while keeping it moving smoothly, even during busy times.
- It creates a more welcoming gateway entry into Town.
- It’s a national best practice for intersections like this, recommended by the Federal Highway Administration.
- What's the Timeline?
Summer 2025
- Project kickoff and early design work begins.
- Town Council will review and select a preferred concept.
Fall 2025
- We’ll share the concept with CDOT to kick off official design.
- Stakeholder meetings to discuss the concept.
- Public open house to review the draft design (30% complete). We’ll ask for your feedback on features like landscaping, art, and signage in the roundabout’s center.
Late 2025 to Early 2026
- Design will be refined based on community and CDOT input.
- We’ll complete 60% design, start environmental review, and prepare for construction.
Construction is expected to break ground by the end of 2026.
- Current Concept
The project is now at 60% design of a peanut-shaped single lane roundabout.
Concept Drawing:
Concept Rendering:
