UPDATE: 5 PM, Tuesday, June 30, 2026 — Traffic Alert — W. Third Street, W. Second Street & Park Avenue Closure Update**
Construction continues in the W. Third Street, W. Second Street, and Park Avenue corridor as utility and roadway improvements progress.
Xcel Energy crews are actively boring for a new gas main and gas services throughout the project area. At the same time, Johnson Construction is setting forms for new curbs and gutters at the intersection and preparing forms for the new Park Avenue Bridge.
Concrete pours for the curbs and gutters are scheduled to begin Wednesday, weather permitting.
To accommodate the ongoing work, the closure of W. Third Street, W. Second Street, and Park Avenue will remain in place while Xcel Energy completes its utility installation.
Motorists traveling to and from the Prefontaine Mesa neighborhood should continue using the designated detour routes:
Highway 13 Bypass to Prefontaine Avenue
W. 16th Street to Prefontaine Avenue
Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, use alternate routes, and allow additional travel time while construction is underway.
The City of Rifle appreciates the community's patience and cooperation as these critical infrastructure improvements continue.
For project updates, follow the City of Rifle on Facebook and Instagram or sign up for email and text notifications at rifleco.org/NotifyMe.
For additional information, contact the City of Rifle at 970-665-6577.
UPDATE: 3 PM, Monday, June 15, 2026**
The intersection of West Third Street and Park Avenue will remain closed this week, as Johnson Construction crews finish the storm water replacements and begin concrete and asphalt preparation.The girders and panels were placed last week as part of the ongoing Park Avenue Bridge project and infrastructure upgrades.
Residents traveling to the Prefontaine Mesa neighborhood will continue to use the following detours:
➡️ Hwy 13 Bypass → Prefontaine Avenue
➡️ West 16th Street → Prefontaine Avenue
UPDATE: 10 AM, Monday, June 8, 2026**
West Third Street remains closed as crews continue progress on the stormwater replacement project. The closure includes the south end of Park Avenue and the north end of W Second Street.
This week, bridge girders for the new Park Avenue Bridge are scheduled to arrive this week, marking another major milestone in the project.
Estimated Duration: One week (weather permitting)
Residents traveling to the Prefontaine Mesa neighborhood should continue using the following detours:
➡️ Hwy 13 Bypass → Prefontaine Avenue
➡️ West 16th Street → Prefontaine Avenue
UPDATE: 10 AM, Thursday, April 2, 2026**
West Second Street from Tripp Drive to Third Street is now open. Thank you for your patience during this important infrastructure project.
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UPDATE: 8 PM, Wednesday, April 1, 2026**
West Second Street will be closed from Tripp Drive to Third Street on Thursday, April 2, 2026, as crews repair a roadway patch as part of ongoing infrastructure improvements associated with the Park Avenue Bridge project.
The closure is expected to last most of the day. Once repairs are complete, the road will reopen to traffic.
For additional information or questions, please call 970-665-6577.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Beginning this week, crews will start installing sanitary sewer on West Second Street. During installation, West Second Street will be closed to through traffic between West Third Street and the new bridge location. Businesses located in the area will remain accessible.
In addition, Johnson Construction will begin installing H-piles for the foundation of the new Park Avenue Bridge. Nearby homes and businesses may experience some noise while the structural beams are driven into the ground.
Later this week, crews will begin Subsurface Utility Exploration (potholing) on Park Avenue north of West Third Street to locate the waterline connection point. During this work, the southbound lane of Park Avenue will be closed.
Through Traffic Detour
Residents of the Prefontaine Mesa and Park Hill Addition areas are encouraged to use the following routes:
West Third Street → Railroad Avenue
Tripp Drive → West Second Street → State Highway 13 Bypass
Prefontaine Avenue → West 16th Street
Prefontaine Avenue → State Highway 13 Bypass
Motorists are asked to use caution in the area, as construction crews and traffic control personnel will be working in the roadway.
For additional information or questions regarding the project, please call 970-665-6577.