West Steamboat Trail

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The US 40 West Trail Connection project will construct new concrete sidewalk and is an extension of the Yampa River Core Trail from Snow Bowl Plaza west to the Sleepy Bear Mobile Home Park, including an underground pedestrian tunnel under US 40 to allow pedestrian access to the north side of US 40 with ultimate connections to Slate Creek Ranch and the neighborhoods west of city limits. Located in west Steamboat Springs on both sides of the highway, the project is designed to improve multimodal connectivity and enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety in a rapidly developing corridor. Awarded to local contractor, Duckels Construction for $6,811,035, the project represents a significant investment in safe and sustainable transportation infrastructure.

A key feature of the project is a new pedestrian underpass at US 40 milepost 129.4, providing a safe and continuous crossing beneath the highway. The work also includes retaining walls, storm sewer and drainage improvements, waterline extension, electrical and fiber optic conduit banks, guardrail upgrades, and lighting/electrical components to support safe and functional use of the corridor. The trail extension to the KOA driveway entrance is expected to be completed by October 2026, while the Sleepy Bear connection and US 40 pedestrian tunnel are scheduled to begin in May 2027 and be completed by October 2027. The underground tunnel work will be phased to maintain traffic flow and minimize disruption, although lane shifts and speed reductions on US 40 should be expected for the 2027 construction phase.

Multiple grants are supporting this effort, including contributions from CDOT, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Routt County, DOLA, ARPA, and HUD, underscoring broad community and regional commitment to improved mobility and safety.

The project will be managed by the City of Steamboat Springs in coordination with the Colorado Department of Transportation, with SGM providing Construction Management and Owners Assurance Testing services. Construction activity is expected to begin in late May or early June.

The US 40 West Trail Connection project will construct new concrete sidewalk and is an extension of the Yampa River Core Trail from Snow Bowl Plaza west to the Sleepy Bear Mobile Home Park, including an underground pedestrian tunnel under US 40 to allow pedestrian access to the north side of US 40 with ultimate connections to Slate Creek Ranch and the neighborhoods west of city limits. Located in west Steamboat Springs on both sides of the highway, the project is designed to improve multimodal connectivity and enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety in a rapidly developing corridor. Awarded to local contractor, Duckels Construction for $6,811,035, the project represents a significant investment in safe and sustainable transportation infrastructure.

A key feature of the project is a new pedestrian underpass at US 40 milepost 129.4, providing a safe and continuous crossing beneath the highway. The work also includes retaining walls, storm sewer and drainage improvements, waterline extension, electrical and fiber optic conduit banks, guardrail upgrades, and lighting/electrical components to support safe and functional use of the corridor. The trail extension to the KOA driveway entrance is expected to be completed by October 2026, while the Sleepy Bear connection and US 40 pedestrian tunnel are scheduled to begin in May 2027 and be completed by October 2027. The underground tunnel work will be phased to maintain traffic flow and minimize disruption, although lane shifts and speed reductions on US 40 should be expected for the 2027 construction phase.

Multiple grants are supporting this effort, including contributions from CDOT, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Routt County, DOLA, ARPA, and HUD, underscoring broad community and regional commitment to improved mobility and safety.

The project will be managed by the City of Steamboat Springs in coordination with the Colorado Department of Transportation, with SGM providing Construction Management and Owners Assurance Testing services. Construction activity is expected to begin in late May or early June.

  • Update

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    US 40 West Trail Connection Takes Shape

    Construction is well underway on the US 40 West Trail Connection, and the pieces of the new connection are beginning to come together.

    Crews are currently working on several parts of the project, including installing the new waterline and other utilities, preparing the ground and pouring concrete. Utility work along the south side of US 40, between Snow Bowl Plaza and the Sleepy Bear Mobile Home Park, is expected to be finished by the end of September.

    The City expects Duckels Construction to reach this year’s major milestone: completing the trail from Snow Bowl Plaza to the KOA entrance driveway before the winter construction moratorium begins Nov. 1.

    The project will continue next year, with the remaining pieces planned for the 2027 construction season. This includes the pedestrian tunnel beneath US 40, utility work under the highway, sidewalk connections to the Sleepy Bear and KOA entrances, and the final connection to the Glen subdivision access road on the north side of the highway. That work is expected to begin when the 2027 construction season opens and be completed by October 2027.

    The tunnel work will be done in phases to keep traffic moving in both directions on US 40. Drivers should expect some lane shifts and reduced speeds during construction next year, but the project is being planned to limit disruptions to the highway as much as possible.

    Looking Beyond the Project

    Recent community interest and feedback have highlighted the importance of a safe, connected way for people living west of the city to reach Steamboat Springs’ sidewalk and trail network.

    It is also important to clarify where this project ends — and what comes next.

    The current project includes approximately 200 feet of sidewalk on the north side of US 40, connecting to the Glen subdivision access road. It does not include a trail extending farther west beyond that point, and there are no current plans to design or construct that extension as part of this project.

    A future paved trail connection toward the Steamboat II Metro District boundary near County Road 42 is anticipated as part of the larger development picture. If the Slate Creek Neighborhood is annexed into the City, that trail extension would be constructed as the neighborhood is built out. If the property remains outside city limits, the extension would fall under Routt County’s jurisdiction.

    For now, the focus is on completing the connection that is already funded and under construction — creating a new piece of the community’s sidewalk and trail network and improving access between neighborhoods west of the city and Steamboat Springs.

    US 40 West Trail Connection Takes Shape

    Construction is well underway on the US 40 West Trail Connection, and the pieces of the new connection are beginning to come together.

    Crews are currently working on several parts of the project, including installing the new waterline and other utilities, preparing the ground and pouring concrete. Utility work along the south side of US 40, between Snow Bowl Plaza and the Sleepy Bear Mobile Home Park, is expected to be finished by the end of September.

    The City expects Duckels Construction to reach this year’s major milestone: completing the trail from Snow Bowl Plaza to the KOA entrance driveway before the winter construction moratorium begins Nov. 1.

    The project will continue next year, with the remaining pieces planned for the 2027 construction season. This includes the pedestrian tunnel beneath US 40, utility work under the highway, sidewalk connections to the Sleepy Bear and KOA entrances, and the final connection to the Glen subdivision access road on the north side of the highway. That work is expected to begin when the 2027 construction season opens and be completed by October 2027.

    The tunnel work will be done in phases to keep traffic moving in both directions on US 40. Drivers should expect some lane shifts and reduced speeds during construction next year, but the project is being planned to limit disruptions to the highway as much as possible.

    Looking Beyond the Project

    Recent community interest and feedback have highlighted the importance of a safe, connected way for people living west of the city to reach Steamboat Springs’ sidewalk and trail network.

    It is also important to clarify where this project ends — and what comes next.

    The current project includes approximately 200 feet of sidewalk on the north side of US 40, connecting to the Glen subdivision access road. It does not include a trail extending farther west beyond that point, and there are no current plans to design or construct that extension as part of this project.

    A future paved trail connection toward the Steamboat II Metro District boundary near County Road 42 is anticipated as part of the larger development picture. If the Slate Creek Neighborhood is annexed into the City, that trail extension would be constructed as the neighborhood is built out. If the property remains outside city limits, the extension would fall under Routt County’s jurisdiction.

    For now, the focus is on completing the connection that is already funded and under construction — creating a new piece of the community’s sidewalk and trail network and improving access between neighborhoods west of the city and Steamboat Springs.

Page last updated: 10 Sep 2026, 01:34 PM