The business loop in Grand Junction and Clifton connects Exits 26 to 37, and it follows portions of U.S. 6 and U.S. 50 south of Interstate 70 through town. The route is an expressway for much of its route northwest of downtown, and through downtown it follows a couplet (eastbound via Pitkin Avenue and westbound via Ute Avenue). Northeast of downtown, Business Loop I-70 again follows an expressway alignment through Clifton. U.S. 6 follows the business loop for the entire route, except between the two intersections with North Avenue (U.S. 6 follows North Avenue, which is a bypass of downtown Grand Junction) and at the Palisade/Mount Lincoln cut-off. Business Loop I-70 is an officially defined business loop of Interstate 70 in the route logs; its length is listed in the log at 13.36 miles.
| Another interchange is located at the point where U.S. 6 and Business Loop I-70/U.S. 50 split. U.S. 6 exits left onto eastbound North Avenue, which acts as a bypass route to the north of downtown Grand Junction. Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 50 continue south along the expressway en route to downtown Grand Junction. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Business Loop I-70/U.S. 50 and U.S. 6 split at the North Avenue interchange northwest of downtown Grand Junction. Note the control city of Montrose, which is located on U.S. 50 southeast of Grand Junction and southeast of Delta. The exit for U.S. 6 is via the left two lanes, while the right two lanes continue along south-eastbound U.S. 50 and Business Loop I-70. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| This gore point signage points the way for U.S. 6 and Business Loop I-70/U.S. 50 signage. Unlike the overhead sign, the U.S. 50 designation is shown with a "TO" banner, further indicating that U.S. 50 is not technically routed along this stretch of Business Loop I-70 (or on U.S. 6 through Fruita or Interstate 70 through central Utah). One can argue that U.S. 50 pretty much doesn't exist -- excepting "TO" trailblazers on overriding routes such as Interstate 70, Business Loop I-70, and U.S. 6 -- between Salina, Utah, and downtown Grand Junction, Colorado. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| A Business Loop I-70 reassurance shield is posted after U.S. 6 departs east along North Avenue, and again U.S. 50 is not shown. Google Maps shows the business loop cosigned with "Business U.S. 6," but it is not signed anywhere between the two intersections with North Avenue. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Continuing southeast, Business Loop I-70 shifts from a brief freeway split at North Avenue to a regular expressway with intersections. The next major intersection on eastbound Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 50 is the junction with Colorado 340, Grand Avenue (which changes into Broadway Road after crossing the railroad viaduct). Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Colorado 340 is a loop route that connects downtown Grand Junction with Colorado National Monument by way of Redlands. A faster route to Colorado National Monument is via Redlands Parkway from eastbound Business Loop I-70, but by this point, the best route is via Colorado 340. After skirting the northern area of the national monument, Colorado 340 then turns north into Fruita, where it ends at U.S. 6 (and unsigned U.S. 50). Note that this sign shows "East U.S. 50" without the "TO" banner. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Colorado 340 leads to Colorado National Monument, established on May 24, 1911. This national monument preserves the sheer cliffs and rockfaces rising above the Grand Valley at the edge of the Uncompahgre Uplift. Several geological features, such as the Book Cliffs and Grand Mesa, are part of the monument. Elevations range between approximately 4,700 feet above sea level at the canyon floor and 7,200 feet above sea level on top of the mesa. The Rim Rock Drive offers a 23-mile scenic drive through the monument. A standalone rock formation is Independence Monument, which is also part of the national monument. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| This is the traffic signal for west Colorado 340 from eastbound Business Loop I-70. Turn right here for Colorado 340 via Spruce Street southbound, then turn right via Grand Avenue westbound. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| This reassurance trailblazer is located after the Spruce Street traffic signal. Again, U.S. 50 is signed with a "TO" banner, implying that Business Loop I-70 is not also U.S. 50. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Another reassurance shield assembly for eastbound Business Loop I-70 and To U.S. 50 is posted after the Grand Avenue traffic signal. A commercial corridor ensues, with fast food, strip malls, and motels lining the business route. For the first time, businesses typically found along a business route appear on Business Loop I-70 in Grand Junction. The highway remains a four-lane, divided conventional highway through this area, then turns east into downtown Grand Junction. Upon entering Grand Junction, the business loop shifts onto a one-way couplet of eastbound via Pitkin Avenue and westbound via Ute Avenue. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Turning from southeast to east, Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 50 enter downtown Grand Junction via Pitkin Avenue. Situated at an elevation of 4,590 feet, Grand Junction is home to 41,986 people as of the 2000 Census. Located east of Colorado National Monument along the north bank of the Colorado River and the Union Pacific Railroad, Grand Junction is the largest city within Mesa County. The city was founded in 1882 as a small city (approximately 643 acres). As of 2003, Grand Junction had gained approximately 21,209 acres as a result of numerous land and parcel annexations through the years. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| The paired routes -- Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 50 -- divide here, at the intersection of Pitkin Avenue and 5th Street. U.S. 50 turns southeast along 5th Street to leave downtown Grand Junction, while eastbound Business Loop I-70 continues straight ahead on Pitkin Avenue. Note that the business loop is signed as "To Interstate 70" on the overhead sign with a control city of Denver. A park is located to the north (left) of Pitkin Avenue just prior to 5th Street. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| A park bounded by 4th Street on the west, Pitkin Avenue on the south, 5th Street on the east, and Ute Avenue on the north comes to an end as eastbound Business Loop I-70 reaches the traffic signal with 5th Street. Regular commercial facilities are located on the north (left) side of Pitkin Avenue for the next several blocks instead of the park setting from the previous block. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| For the first time since its western terminus, Business Loop I-70 is signed alone, without any U.S. highway companions. This reassurance shield is located after the 5th Street (U.S. 50) intersection. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Now approaching 7th Street, turn west (left) to enter the Grand Junction central business district. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| The Main Street intersection is about 11 blocks northeast of the 7th Street intersection. Follow Main Street west to return to downtown Grand Junction; otherwise, Business Loop I-70 continues northeast away from downtown and toward Clifton. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Although not photographed here, the city of Grand Junction plans an interchange between Business Loop I-70 and 29 Road. Currently, 29 Road is a broken route, with no connection over the railroad tracks to the south of the business loop. Plans call for a bridge to cross the tracks and allow for 29 Road to cross over both the railroad and the highway. Ramps are also proposed. For more information, visit the I-70B and 29 Road Interchange (official city of Grand Junction webpage). Completion of the interchange is scheduled for Spring 2009. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Continuing northeast, Business Loop I-70 approaches its merge with U.S. 6. U.S. 6, which split from the business route at the North Avenue interchange northwest of downtown Grand Junction, rejoins the business route at this intersection, which is the eastern end of North Avenue. Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6 proceed east toward Clifton. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Eastbound Business Loop I-70 reaches Junction U.S. 6, North Avenue. U.S. 6 east merges with Business Loop I-70 east. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| This reassurance shield for Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6 includes trailblazer arrows beneath the shields. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Another reassurance shield assembly for Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6 is posted here. The business route expressway passes through Clifton, which is an unincorporated area northeast of Grand Junction that includes housing, commercial, and suburban areas. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| While much of the business route through Clifton is an expressway with limited intersections and commercial access, that changes at the Colorado 141 intersection. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Colorado 141 is a fairly long state route, originating at U.S. 491 (former U.S. 666) near Dove Creek and continuing north to end at Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6 northeast of Grand Junction, in Clifton. Between U.S. 50 and Business Loop I-70/U.S. 6, Colorado 141 serves as an eastern bypass of Grand Junction. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Continuing east, Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6 pass by a variety of restaurants, shopping centers, and related commercial ventures, especially along the south side of the expressway. Traffic signals govern most of the intersections through here. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6 prepare to split, with the main lanes continuing north to the interchange with Interstate 70 and the right lane following U.S. 6 east to Palisade. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| After U.S. 6 departs for Palisade, Business Loop I-70 prepares to split, with the left lane connecting to westbound Interstate 70 to Green River, Utah, and the right lane connects to eastbound Interstate 70 en route to Denver (passing by towns such as Rifle, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Silverthorne/Dillon, and Idaho Springs along the way). Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| This is the final reassurance shield for Business Loop I-70 along eastbound. The expressway prepares to merge onto Interstate 70. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| A roadside sign reaffirms the lane assignments for the connections to westbound Interstate 70 (left lane) and eastbound Interstate 70 (right lane). Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Business Loop I-70 ends at this high-speed, trumpet interchange with Interstate 70. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Business Loop I-70 West
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| After departing from Interstate 70 at Exit 37 (trumpet interchange), this reassurance shield is posted on westbound Business Loop I-70. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| This mileage sign provides the distance to the community of Clifton (one mile) and the city of Grand Junction (six miles to downtown). The Grand Junction Business Loop I-70 is one of the longer business loops in the state of Colorado, comparable to Business Loop I-70 in Denver/Golden, but much shorter than Business Loop I-76 in Fort Morgan/Brush/Sterling. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| The first intersection along the fledgling Business Loop I-70 expressway is with U.S. 6. To the east, U.S. 6 serves Palisade, and U.S. 6 westbound merges onto the business route. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Turn left to follow U.S. 6 east to Palisade; continue straight ahead to follow Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6 west to Clifton and Grand Junction. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| This is the second reassurance shield assembly, which shows both Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Continuing southwest, the next major intersection on Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6 is with Colorado 141. Colorado 141 is a fairly long state route, originating at U.S. 491 (former U.S. 666) near Dove Creek and continuing north to end at Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6 northeast of Grand Junction, in Clifton. Between U.S. 50 and Business Loop I-70/U.S. 6, Colorado 141 serves as an eastern bypass of Grand Junction. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| All three routes (Colorado 141, Business Loop I-70, and U.S. 6) are sign posted on this odd looking shield assembly (odd because the trailblazer arrows are mounted on top of the shields rather than below the shields, which is a bit more normal). Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Another Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6 reassurance shield assembly is posted. The business route expressway continues west into Clifton, which is an unincorporated area northeast of Grand Junction that includes housing, commercial, and suburban areas. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| A second mileage sign provides the distance to downtown Grand Junction, which is still five miles southwest of here. The business route remains a four-lane divided highway all the way to the outskirts of downtown, where it changes into a one-way couplet. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| U.S. 6 and Business Loop I-70 split at North Avenue. While U.S. 6 avoids downtown Grand Junction, it offers a faster route west via North Avenue for through traffic returning to Interstate 70 or traveling toward the northwestern section of Grand Junction (and to Colorado National Monument via Redlands Parkway). Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Although some maps (for instance, Google Maps as of 01/22/06) show Business Loop I-70 cosigned with Business U.S. 6, there are no business U.S. 6 shields anywhere along the business route through downtown Grand Junction. U.S. 6 will travel due west along North Avenue, while Business Loop I-70 aims southwest toward downtown Grand Junction. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| A frontage road on the northwest side of the business route offers access to the local businesses, while Business Loop I-70 remains on an expressway alignment as it continues southwest toward downtown. The railroad travels along the southeastern side of the expressway. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Situated at an elevation of 4,590 feet, Grand Junction is home to 41,986 people as of the 2000 Census. Located east of Colorado National Monument along the north bank of the Colorado River and the Union Pacific Railroad, Grand Junction is the largest city within Mesa County. The city was founded in 1882 as a small city (approximately 643 acres). As of 2003, Grand Junction had gained approximately 21,209 acres as a result of numerous land and parcel annexations through the years. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Signalized intersections such as this one line the expressway sporadically as Business Loop I-70 continues southwest into downtown Grand Junction. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| The highway remains a four-lane expressway until turning into downtown Grand Junction. Upon entering downtown, the business loop shifts onto a one-way couplet of westbound via Ute Avenue and eastbound via Pitkin Avenue. Look for the Main Street turn off to enter the commercial core of Grand Junction; the business route skirts the business core to the south by a couple of blocks. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Westbound Business Loop I-70/Ute Avenue approaches Seventh Street in downtown Grand Junction. Seventh Street crosses the Union Pacific Railroad tracks to the south, offering a connection to U.S. 50 southbound via 4th Avenue or Struthers Avenue. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Only a few blocks further west (at Fifth Street), Business Loop I-70 reaches its junction with U.S. 50. Nearly a transcontinental highway, U.S. 50 bisects the nation between Sacramento, California, and Ocean City, Maryland. Through Colorado, much of the route is well-traveled, as it provides one of the major east-west corridors across the Centennial State. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| A small park just west of Fifth Street is visible to the southwest of the intersection that serves as the junction between Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 50. While U.S. 50 is a major east-west corridor through Colorado, this intersection serves as a terminus of U.S. 50, since signage is sporadic between Grand Junction and Salina, Utah. U.S. 50 will follow the business route out of Grand Junction and then silently merge with Interstate 70 into eastern Utah. Neither Colorado nor Utah are good about consistently signing U.S. routes that share alignments with Interstate highways, so U.S. 50 effectively "disappears" for signage purposes west of this intersection (even though reminders of U.S. 50 are placed along the route from time to time). Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Business Loop I-70 is signed solely again, even though it should be cosigned with U.S. 50. But as far as Colorado's Department of Transportation is concerned, U.S. 50 does not continue as a signed route west of the intersection of Ute Avenue and Fifth Street. However, "TO" signs are placed in various spots along the business route. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| The next intersection along westbound Business Loop I-70 is with Fourth Street. The business route remains on a one-way couplet until it reaches First Street, four blocks west of here. This is downtown Grand Junction, which is fairly residential. Much of the downtown commercial core is located just north of the business route along parallel routes Colorado Avenue and Main Street. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Now back on a conventional four lane highway, Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 50 turn off Ute Avenue and turn due north via First Street. The paired route will first meet Colorado 340/Grand Avenue, where it turns northwest (leaving First Street). A bit further northwest, the business route interchanges with U.S. 6/North Avenue. From there, the highway will again gain expressway characteristics before aiming for its ultimate junction with Interstate 70. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Colorado 340 is a loop route that connects downtown Grand Junction with Colorado National Monument by way of Redlands. After skirting the northern area of the national monument, Colorado 340 then turns north into Fruita, where it ends at U.S. 6 (and unsigned U.S. 50). Note that this sign shows "East U.S. 50" without the "TO" banner. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Colorado 340 leads to Colorado National Monument, established on May 24, 1911. This national monument preserves the sheer cliffs and rockfaces rising above the Grand Valley at the edge of the Uncompahgre Uplift. Several geological features, such as the Book Cliffs and Grand Mesa, are part of the monument. Elevations range between approximately 4,700 feet above sea level at the canyon floor and 7,200 feet above sea level on top of the mesa. The Rim Rock Drive offers a 23-mile scenic drive through the monument. A standalone rock formation is Independence Monument, which is also part of the national monument. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| In addition to the overhead sign in the previous photo, these trailblazer shields mention U.S. 50 for the first time since leaving downtown Grand Junction! At least there is a tacit acknowledgement that U.S. 50 still exists, but those signs are few and far between. Look for a map to help follow U.S. 50 west into Utah ... in other words, follow Interstate 70 west! Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| After Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 50 separate from First Street and turn northwest, this reassurance shield is posted (without U.S. 50). Note the interchange in the distance, which is the junction with U.S. 6 east (North Avenue). Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Westbound Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 50 reach their junction with U.S. 6. Turn right here to follow U.S. 6/North Avenue east back toward Clifton; continue straight ahead to follow the business route northwest back to Interstate 70. Note that neither the business route nor U.S. 50 are mentioned on this shield assembly. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| The section of Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6-50 northwest of North Avenue is decidedly more commercial in nature, with a wide variety of shopping areas located along the route. The upcoming traffic signal governs the flow of traffic into some of these shopping areas. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| The next traffic signal is for 24 1/2 Road, which travels north from here. In Mesa County, major north-south roads are given numerical designations, increasing by mileage from the western border to the eastern border. So, 24 1/2 Road is 24.5 miles east of the state line. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Another interchange is located at the next major junction, this time with 24 Road (which travels north to Interstate 70) and Redlands Parkway (which travels west to Redlands and to Colorado National Monument). The first ramp connects to 24 Road northbound. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| The second ramp is a loop ramp that connects to southwestbound Redlands Parkway. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| This shield assembly for Business Loop I-70, U.S. 6, and To Interstate 70 is posted after the Redlands Parkway/24 Road interchange. Again note that U.S. 50 is not mentioned. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Northwestbound Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 6-50 approach the interchange with Interstate 70. While the business route ends here, U.S. 6-50 continue along the frontage road to Fruita. One can argue that U.S. 50 turns onto westbound Interstate 70, but there are no signs saying as much. Additionally, even though the frontage road to Fruita is only known as U.S. 6 by the Colorado Department of Transportation, the state never recognizes shared alignments officially (such as U.S. 85-87 shown on maps but signed as U.S. 85 alone in the field). Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Follow Interstate 70 east to Denver as well as most Colorado Rocky Mountain resorts and national forest recreational areas. The freeway passes through some of the most beautiful scenery between Grand Junction and Denver, making it one of the most scenic Interstate highways in the country. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| The interchange between Business Loop I-70 and Interstate 70 is a standard diamond interchange. Although not signed, the business loop ends here. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| While advance signage is well-placed with westbound Interstate 70, no sign mentions what happens to U.S. 50. Through traffic to Salina, Utah, ought to turn west on Interstate 70; followers of the old alignment should continue straight ahead on U.S. 6. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| Westbound U.S. 6 and U.S. 50 reach the onramp to westbound Interstate 70. Continue straight ahead to Fruita and Luna. U.S. 6 and U.S. 50 will rejoin Interstate 70 at Exit 11 (Mack), although the old, locally maintained road continues west into Utah. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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| After the second traffic signal that constitutes part of the Interstate 70 interchange, this reassurance shield for U.S. 6 is posted. Business Loop I-70 is presumed to end at Interstate 70, and U.S. 50 either transitions onto westbound Interstate 70 silently or remains silently merged with westbound U.S. 6. For our purposes, we consider U.S. 50 to remain merged with U.S. 6 until U.S. 6 itself merges onto Interstate 70 near the Utah State Line. Photo taken 10/18/04.
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Page Updated January 22, 2006.
