The City of Rifle Gateway Project has been awarded a $500,000.00 grant from the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) to improve the intersection of Whiteriver Avenue and Centennial Parkway. EIAF funds come from the state severance tax on energy and mineral production and from a portion of the state's share of royalties paid to the federal government for mining and drilling of minerals and mineral fuels on federally-owned land. Competition for these limited funds is intense. The project was reviewed based on a variety of factors, including degree of need, measurable outcomes, and readiness to go.
The Rifle Gateway Project aims to replace the dangerous entrance to downtown with a pedestrian-friendly signalized intersection that welcomes foot traffic, offers safe connections to transit, and allows traffic numbers to expand without increasing traffic backups. The project focuses on Rifle’s top intersections for accidents. In the last five years, eight collisions at the Whiteriver Avenue intersection have resulted in injury and/or property damage. There are no sidewalks or bike lanes in this area, leading to hazardous crossings for cyclists and pedestrians.
The City of Rifle is thankful to all of those involved with the EIAF grant and to the Rifle community that earned those dollars.
For updated information on all City matters, please go to our website, www.rifleco.org or our Facebook and Twitter pages.