Making connections: Trail projects included in proposed 2024 budget

By SAM KLOMHAUS

Sam.Klomhaus@gjsentinel.com

The City of Grand Junction’s proposed 2024 capital budget, which was presented to City Council on Monday, includes a number of projects designed to increase the city’s multi-modal transportation offerings.

RIVERFRONT TRAIL EXTENSION The City of Grand Junction, Mesa County and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are partnering on a project connecting the Riverfront Trail from 27½ Road to 29 Road.

”The Riverfront Trail gap between 27½ and 29 Road has required bicyclists and pedestrians to use the narrow, farm-tomarket C½ Road,” the budget stated. “This key link has been on hold for over 25 years with easements needed from two remaining properties.”

One of the easements was obtained recently as part of a deal for a conditional use permit for a gravel pit on the property.

The other easement will be obtained via each of the three entities paying a third of the price to buy the property.

”Closing on property proposed for 1st quarter 2024,” the budget stated. “CPW is currently under design on the project with construction slated for 2025.”

The City of Grand Junction’s $366,666 portion will be funded by sales taxes.

RANCHMAN’S DITCH TRAIL

The city is taking a long-awaited step toward putting trails next to the canals that run through the city, an effort that has been met with resistance from the canal companies.

Ranchman’s Ditch, a covered canal, has been proposed as the site for a pilot program.

”The city has been working with Grand Valley Irrigation Company on a section of the canal that could be used as a pilot project for trails on the canals,” the budget stated. “The selected reach is on Ranchman’s Ditch which runs in large pipes along the south side of Patterson between 24½ Road and 25½ Road.”

The city anticipates design work in late 2023 through early 2024, with construction of 24½ to 25 Road in 2024, and 25 Road to 25½ Road in 2025.

The $1.4 million project will be funded by sales taxes.

MONUMENT CONNECT PHASE 2

The city has been working on the second half of the Monument Connector trail, which will complete the “Redlands Loop,” for a few years.

”When Phase II is complete, the Redlands Loop will be forged and bikes, joggers and walkers will be connected not only in the beautiful area surrounding the Phase II Trail alignment but along the entire expanse of the 13-plus mile Redlands Loop,” a project description in the city’s proposed 2024 budget stated.

The $1.67 million project is funded by a number of sources, including $940,000 from sales tax, $500,000 from Great Outdoors Colorado, $130,000 from Parkland, $50,000 from the Colorado West Land Trust (CWLT) and $50,000 from One Riverfront.

CROSBY AVENUE

”Crosby Avenue serves as an extension of Main Street to significant retail shopping and both

See PROJECTS, page 18A ➤

A cyclist passes the Dos Rios bike park on the Riverfront Trail on Thursday. According to the City of Grand Junction’s proposed 2024 capital budget, the gap in the Riverfront Trail — between 27½ and 29 roads — is set to begin construction in 2025.

DALE SHRULL/ The Daily Sentinel

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existing and burgeoning residential areas,” the budget stated. “The high-return, timely project will substantially improve safety, economic opportunity, and active transportation access in the heart of the community.”

The city received a $1 million grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation for the $2.45 million project.

”Crosby Avenue would transform from a narrow local street with no bicycle or pedestrian facilities to a robust multimodal corridor with safer facilities, landscaping and lighting tying into the existing bicycle-pedestrian bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks between the Riverside neighborhood and the rest of Downtown,” the budget stated.

NORTH AVENUE

The city is working on a project constructing detached paths along the north side of North Avenue between 28½ Road and the Interstate 70 business loop, and on the south side from 29 Road to the I-70 business loop.

”Mesa County secured transit funds through CDOT subject to the Ccty providing the matching funds as confirmed by the City Council on Sept. 1, 2021, Memorandum of Understanding,” the budget stated. “Additionally, the city was successful in securing a CDOT Multi-Modal Options Fund grant and a Transportation Alternative Program grant.” The $4,950,000 project budget estimate includes $4,612,500 in grant funding, with the remaining $337,500 funded by sales tax.