In the summer of 1931, the year that the Pioneer Monument was dedicated near the mouth of Plateau Canyon, another event occurred there that was equally worthy of public notice.
The highway along the Colorado River was extended east from Plateau Canyon all the way to De Beque. Prior to that, motorists had to follow the Plateau Canyon road upstream to the De Beque Cutoff, then follow that northeastward to De Beque.
The new section of what was then called Colorado River Highway shaved eight miles off the journey between Plateau Canyon and De Beque and added a new, scenic section of roadway.