SWAP | Pacific Avenue Improvement Project

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The Pacific Avenue Improvement Project is guided by the Southwest Area Conceptual Plan, a vision adopted by the Telluride Town Council in 2021 to help shape the future of publicly owned land and street networks in the southwest corner of Town. This area encompasses housing developments such as Shandoka, Virginia Placer, and Longwill, as well as key public spaces like the River Trail and the surrounding neighborhoods along Mahoney Drive and Davis Street.

Southwest Area Conceptual Plan – Big Picture

The plan was created to enhance livability, safety, and connectivity for residents, workers, and visitors in the area. It was developed through extensive public input and includes ideas for new housing, parks, trails, and safer streets. One major focus is on making it easier and safer to walk, bike, and drive through this part of town, while preserving what people already love, such as the River Trail and the neighborhood's open feel.

Why Pacific Avenue Needs Attention

West Pacific Avenue is a key east-west route in the neighborhood, serving as the main street for this part of town. But it has several safety and circulation challenges:

  • Bike safety is a big issue. Currently, people biking westbound on Pacific Avenue ride into oncoming vehicle traffic, creating a significant hazard.
  • Pedestrian routes need work. Sidewalks are missing or narrow, and some parts of the River Trail don’t safely serve both walkers and bikers.
  • Intersections can be confusing. The crossing at Mahoney Drive is particularly challenging to navigate and requires realignment. Davis Street and Colorado Avenue also experience traffic backups.
  • The road doesn’t reflect how people use it. Bikes and pedestrians make up a large share of traffic in this neighborhood—more than in most towns of this size—but the street is still primarily designed for cars.

What the Pacific Avenue Improvement Project Will Do

To respond to these challenges, the Pacific Avenue Improvement Project will:

  • Make the street safer for everyone. This includes new options such as a protected multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, traffic calming measures, and clearer street layouts.
  • Keep what’s special. Residents have requested that any changes maintain Pacific Avenue as one-way to minimize car traffic and preserve the park-like atmosphere. At the same time, some have expressed interest in exploring two-way traffic for better circulation.
  • Link key places. Improvements will connect people from Shandoka, Virginia Placer, and Clark’s Market to Lift 7, schools, and parks with safer walking and biking routes.
  • Improve intersections. The Mahoney Drive crossing will get a safer design, possibly including a new bridge and underpass for the River Trail. Davis and Colorado is also being studied for updates, including the possibility of a mini-roundabout.

What Happens Next

The Public Works Department has granted the project to Telluride Gravel (TGI). The commencement date is set for May 5th, 2025, with an expected completion by the end of December. TGI will initiate work on S. Tomboy St., focusing on reconstructing the street profile and installing a stormwater valley pan on the western side of the street. During Construction, TGI will be utilizing the Carhenge parking lot of staging equipment and materials.

How to Get Involved

The Southwest Area Conceptual Plan was adopted by Town Council in 2021 after extensive meetings and public engagement sessions. As such, the Town of Telluride is moving forward with the Pacific Avenue Improvement Project, which is scheduled to begin in May 2025 and is expected to conclude by the end of 2025.

Want project updates?

  • Bookmark this page and come back often for meeting information, project updates, and more.
  • Visit bit.ly/totnews to sign up for SWAP updates via email.
  • Text 'PACIFIC' to 38276 to sign up for text notifications related to this project.

The Pacific Avenue Improvement Project is guided by the Southwest Area Conceptual Plan, a vision adopted by the Telluride Town Council in 2021 to help shape the future of publicly owned land and street networks in the southwest corner of Town. This area encompasses housing developments such as Shandoka, Virginia Placer, and Longwill, as well as key public spaces like the River Trail and the surrounding neighborhoods along Mahoney Drive and Davis Street.

Southwest Area Conceptual Plan – Big Picture

The plan was created to enhance livability, safety, and connectivity for residents, workers, and visitors in the area. It was developed through extensive public input and includes ideas for new housing, parks, trails, and safer streets. One major focus is on making it easier and safer to walk, bike, and drive through this part of town, while preserving what people already love, such as the River Trail and the neighborhood's open feel.

Why Pacific Avenue Needs Attention

West Pacific Avenue is a key east-west route in the neighborhood, serving as the main street for this part of town. But it has several safety and circulation challenges:

  • Bike safety is a big issue. Currently, people biking westbound on Pacific Avenue ride into oncoming vehicle traffic, creating a significant hazard.
  • Pedestrian routes need work. Sidewalks are missing or narrow, and some parts of the River Trail don’t safely serve both walkers and bikers.
  • Intersections can be confusing. The crossing at Mahoney Drive is particularly challenging to navigate and requires realignment. Davis Street and Colorado Avenue also experience traffic backups.
  • The road doesn’t reflect how people use it. Bikes and pedestrians make up a large share of traffic in this neighborhood—more than in most towns of this size—but the street is still primarily designed for cars.

What the Pacific Avenue Improvement Project Will Do

To respond to these challenges, the Pacific Avenue Improvement Project will:

  • Make the street safer for everyone. This includes new options such as a protected multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, traffic calming measures, and clearer street layouts.
  • Keep what’s special. Residents have requested that any changes maintain Pacific Avenue as one-way to minimize car traffic and preserve the park-like atmosphere. At the same time, some have expressed interest in exploring two-way traffic for better circulation.
  • Link key places. Improvements will connect people from Shandoka, Virginia Placer, and Clark’s Market to Lift 7, schools, and parks with safer walking and biking routes.
  • Improve intersections. The Mahoney Drive crossing will get a safer design, possibly including a new bridge and underpass for the River Trail. Davis and Colorado is also being studied for updates, including the possibility of a mini-roundabout.

What Happens Next

The Public Works Department has granted the project to Telluride Gravel (TGI). The commencement date is set for May 5th, 2025, with an expected completion by the end of December. TGI will initiate work on S. Tomboy St., focusing on reconstructing the street profile and installing a stormwater valley pan on the western side of the street. During Construction, TGI will be utilizing the Carhenge parking lot of staging equipment and materials.

How to Get Involved

The Southwest Area Conceptual Plan was adopted by Town Council in 2021 after extensive meetings and public engagement sessions. As such, the Town of Telluride is moving forward with the Pacific Avenue Improvement Project, which is scheduled to begin in May 2025 and is expected to conclude by the end of 2025.

Want project updates?

  • Bookmark this page and come back often for meeting information, project updates, and more.
  • Visit bit.ly/totnews to sign up for SWAP updates via email.
  • Text 'PACIFIC' to 38276 to sign up for text notifications related to this project.
Page last updated: 13 May 2025, 12:02 PM