The City of Grand Junction will host a ribbon cutting event on Friday, Jan. 10 at 1 p.m. along the section of roadway north of Regal Cinemas for the opening of the first phase of Four Canyons Parkway. Community members are invited to bike, roll, or wheel to the event.
The City of Grand Junction continues to invest in transportation improvements as a critical component of economic development for the city. With the 24 Road and G Road project completion and the first phase of Four Canyons Parkway complete, the focus of improving transportation infrastructure for this year moves toward the second phase of Four Canyons Parkway. Phase two of the parkway, which is east of 24 ½ Road, is planned to begin this year.
“One of the measures of a high-quality of life is our ability to move freely around the community. The Four Canyons Parkway has both regional as well as neighborhood level benefits. Easing traffic congestion improves access for visitors and members of the community to regional medical, commercial, and industrial centers as well as key recreation locations like Canyon View Park,” stated Trent Prall, Engineering and Transportation director. “In addition, whether walking, biking or driving from home to businesses, shopping, restaurants, lodging, activities, and recreation, residents in the area of Four Canyons Parkway will have increased safe access.”
The new parkway has two lanes in each direction with a raised center median and occasional turn lanes. This principal arterial accommodates multiple modes of transportation and serves people of all ages and abilities. Buffered bike lanes adjacent to the parkway provide space for experienced cyclists while a detached 10’ sidewalk on either side accommodates other users whether walking or on wheels such as wheelchairs, scooters, or bikes. Additional benefits include access to adjacent neighborhoods, accommodation of growth and new development, safer access for residents, improved existing infrastructure and aesthetic appeal for the corridor, and increased trail connectivity.
Once completed, the Four Canyons Parkway from 24 Road to 25 Road down to Patterson will improve access for travelers seeking alternative routes into Grand Junction. The parkway will provide a route around congested Patterson Road and serve a rapidly developing area of the community. In 2005, the F ½ Area Corridor Study was completed and included a comprehensive public involvement process. The findings from the study provided the foundation for further transportation planning efforts which were ultimately incorporated into the adopted 2018 Grand Junction Circulation Plan.
This project is one of the 10 projects totaling more than $70 million of improvements authorized by voters and is part of more than $68 million in capacity improvements proposed in the next five years. More information about the city’s transportation projects.