Stone Lane Bridge

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This project would extend Stone Lane (east of Walton Creek) to US40 via a new bridge and improvements to Stone Lane from US40 to Whistler Road including stormwater, utilities, bike lanes, streetscape features, and sidewalks. This project will also connect to the existing Walton Creek Trail (bike & pedestrian). An alternative to Walton Creek Road is needed to serve the east Steamboat Springs neighborhoods. The TMP, US40 East Access Control Plan, Routt County Hazard Mitigation Plan, along with additional historic planning documents identified the extension of Stone Lane across Walton Creek to serve the east Steamboat Springs neighborhoods.

This project is a top priority in the adopted Transportation and Mobility Plan and the Routt County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The need for an extension of Stone Lane will be more pronounced as traffic volumes continue to impact the level of service along Walton Creek Road and all the intersections along Walton Creek Rd. Additionally, the extension of Stone Lane would provide critical secondary access for residents and emergency services. Currently, the city is in the process of awarding the project to a design consultant to start the design, community engagement and conceptual plans for this future project.



This project would extend Stone Lane (east of Walton Creek) to US40 via a new bridge and improvements to Stone Lane from US40 to Whistler Road including stormwater, utilities, bike lanes, streetscape features, and sidewalks. This project will also connect to the existing Walton Creek Trail (bike & pedestrian). An alternative to Walton Creek Road is needed to serve the east Steamboat Springs neighborhoods. The TMP, US40 East Access Control Plan, Routt County Hazard Mitigation Plan, along with additional historic planning documents identified the extension of Stone Lane across Walton Creek to serve the east Steamboat Springs neighborhoods.

This project is a top priority in the adopted Transportation and Mobility Plan and the Routt County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The need for an extension of Stone Lane will be more pronounced as traffic volumes continue to impact the level of service along Walton Creek Road and all the intersections along Walton Creek Rd. Additionally, the extension of Stone Lane would provide critical secondary access for residents and emergency services. Currently, the city is in the process of awarding the project to a design consultant to start the design, community engagement and conceptual plans for this future project.



  • Stone Lane FAQ

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    Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection Project FAQ

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    What is the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project?

    The Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project is a proposed infrastructure improvement project that will construct a bridge over Walton Creek to connect the two existing dead-end segments of Stone Lane, thus providing a link from U.S. Highway 40 to Chinook Lane and Whistler Road. The project will also include multi-modal improvements along the Stone Lane corridor from U.S Highway 40 to Whistler Road and will improve drainage infrastructure.


    Why is the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project being considered?

    Constructing the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection will provide alternate ingress and egress options to the Whistler Area on the south side of Walton Creek Road. Additional ingress/egress options in this area will increase disaster preparedness by having multiple routes for emergency services and evacuations. The completed connection will also relieve some of the traffic and congestion on Walton Creek Road and the Walton Creek Road intersections. This improved circulation will likely alleviate the need for additional intersection improvement projects along Walton Creek Road.


    How long has the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project been part of the city’s transportation plans?

    The earliest known written reference to a future bridge at this location came in 1979. The replat of Walton Creek Park Estates, created in 1979, specifically included at the Stone Lane cul-de-sac, a temporary easement that would be removed upon the Stone Lane connection between U.S. Highway 40 and Whistler Road. Various other plats throughout the years also reference it. The buildout scenario with the Stone Lane extension was highlighted again in the 1996 Whistler Area Transportation Study and again in the 2021 Transportation & Mobility Plan.


    Is the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Steet Connection project being built to support hotel development?

    No, the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project is independent of recent hotel development. Regardless of hotels being built, the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project is viewed as necessary for emergency preparedness, improved vehicular circulation, and decreased congestion.


    Is the Holiday Inn Express Development (PL20230056) funding some of the project?

    The Holiday Inn Express Development is required to contribute 4.9% of the funding to this project. Most developments within the city are required to contribute money towards offsite infrastructure improvements, and the Holiday Inn Express is no exception. The Holiday Inn Express is being required to contribute $13,019 towards a future traffic signal at U.S. Highway 40 and Stone Lane, as well as $260,600 towards the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project.

    What are development contributions?

    Development contributions are funds that a developer pays to the city as part of their project to help mitigate negative infrastructure impacts caused by the development. Required improvements may include intersection enhancements, additional right-of-way, street surface widening, shouldering, drainage, grading, tree removal, sidewalks, bike lanes and other improvements necessary to offset or mitigate the anticipated traffic impacts of the development.

    What do the current traffic studies tell us about the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project?

    A recent traffic study performed in 2021 as part of the City of Steamboat Springs Transportation & Mobility Plan looked at the city in its entirety. Additionally, traffic studies were performed in conjunction with the proposed hotel development. The following items can be noted related to the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project:

    • Only 8.7% of traffic on the conceptual Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection would come from the two new hotel developments; most of the traffic would be generated by existing Whistler Area roadway users.
    • The Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection would likely reduce traffic and congestion on adjacent roadways, including Walton Creek Road.

    What is the status of the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project?

    Funding for the conceptual design portion of the project has been approved and the city is currently in the selection process for a design consultant. Construction of the project is not currently funded.


    What does the design portion of the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project include?

    The following elements will be included as part of the design process:

    • A conceptual plan of the bridge and complete street section.
    • Public outreach, including adjacent homeowner coordination, open houses, public engagement website, informational materials, etc.
    • A robust traffic study specific to the Stone Lane bridge connection to understand how traffic volumes and traffic patterns would change if the bridge were constructed.
    • A hydraulic and hydrologic evaluation of Walton Creek and the surrounding drainage areas to help inform bridge structure selection and to ensure flood impacts are understood and accounted for.


    What other improvements could residents expect on the Stone Lane Bridge and Complete Street Connection project?

    In addition to the road extension and bridge over Walton Creek, and dependent upon site constraints and public input, the project may include:

    • Stormwater and utility improvements
    • Bike lanes
    • Streetscape features/landscaping
    • Sidewalks (connecting the existing Walton Creek Trail from U.S. Highway 40 to Whistler Road)


    What is the proposed timeline of the project?

    Below is a breakdown of the project timeline. Other than the selection of a design consultant, none of the dates are fixed, as they will depend on numerous factors, including project funding.

    • September 2023 – Selection of Design Consultant
    • October 2023 – Design Process Begins
    • TBD – Community Engagement
    • TBD – Conceptual Design
    • TBD (Fall 2024) – Design Completion
    • TBD (Summer 2025) – Construction Begin
Page last updated: 17 Oct 2023, 09:10 AM