Construction Complete on the
North and South Street Phases

The 29 Road and I-70B Interchange project is a key component in the transformation of the 29 Road Corridor into a major link in the Riverside Parkway transportation network.  This project will construct an overpass to extend 29 Road over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and I-70B.  The new overpass and I-70B Interchange is part of the 29 Road corridor improvements that will eventually connect Highway 50 with Interstate 70, and combine with the Riverside Parkway and 24 Road to become a beltway around the City.  The 29 Road street section will be 5 lanes wide (4 travel lanes and a center turn lane), and will include bike lanes and attached concrete sidewalks.

Planning and design work on the project began early in 2005.  The first step was to complete CDOT’s 1601 Interchange approval process and environmental assessment.  After receiving approval from CDOT for a new interchange on I-70B, the final design, Right-of-Way acquisition, and utility coordination got underway and continued through late 2008.  During this same time, the application process with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorizing a new grade separated rail crossing, along with negotiations with the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) were ongoing.  The CPUC authorization for a new rail crossing was obtained in June 2009 and a final Overpass Agreement with the UPRR was signed in November 2009.

Construction of the project was separated into four phases:  Irrigation Phase, North Phase, South Phase, and the Interchange Phase.  This approach provided several benefits including: allowing construction to continue while UPRR negotiations were ongoing and while applications for grant money were pending, took advantage of a favorable bidding environment, allowed for more local contractor involvement, minimized disruption to the public and adjacent property owners by constructing the streets that will serve as detour routes during the Interchange Phase.

This final phase of the project will consist of approximately 2.2 miles of new or reconstructed streets.  The project also consists of construction of a 7-span, 779 foot long concrete roadway bridge; a 5-span, 322 foot long concrete roadway bridge; construction of 67,000 square feet of retaining walls; and approximately 6,300 feet of storm drain, sewer, and irrigation pipe.

This phase started June 7, 2010, with completion by November 1, 2011.




In February 2010, the City of Grand Junction and Mesa County were awarded $3.2 million from the Colorado Department of Local Affair's Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Program. This state program is designed to assist local and state agencies in Colorado that are experiencing social and economic impacts resulting from the development, processing, or energy conversion of minerals or mineral fuels. This grant money will be combined with local funds contributed equally by the City and Mesa County to construct the Interchange Phase.

Construction Phases Exhibit for 29 Road and I-70B Interchange Project

The North Phase - was awarded to Sorter Construction for $1,349,423. They have constructed sections of Teller Avenue, Melody Lane, Sparn Street, Gunnison Avenue, and the I-70B Frontage Road just north of I-70B and west of 29 Road.  The project consists of 4,400 feet of roadway construction, 1,330 feet of storm drain pipe installation, and 2,085 feet of irrigation pipe installation. Construction began on July 6 and completion of the North Phase is expected in spring 2010.

The South Phase - The contract for the South Phase was awarded to United Companies for $1,815,206. They are constructing the portion of 29 Road from D Road to D ½ Road, along with a realigned section of  D ½ Road just east of 29 Road. This project consists of 3,550 feet of roadway construction, 2,100 feet of storm drain pipe installation, and 1,910 feet of irrigation pipe installation. Construction began on July 6 and completion of the North Phase is expected in spring 2010.

The Interchange Phase - The construction contract was awarded to Lawrence Construction Company. The City received the following bids on April 20, 2010 for the 29 Road and I-70B Interchange Phase:

This page updated Tuesday, August 24, 2010