The City of Grand Junction recently held a community open house to present the draft of the 7th Street Active Transportation Corridor Study. This study focuses on making improvements along 7th Street, which stretches from Horizon Drive to Riverside Parkway, and aims to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
The Importance of 7th Street
7th Street is a critical route in Grand Junction, connecting several key community locations, including:
- Riverfront Trail and Downtown access
- Tope and Juniper Ridge Elementary, Grand Junction High School, and Colorado Mesa University
- St. Mary’s Hospital, part of Intermountain Health
- Commercial and Employment centers
- High residential areas
Trent Prall, the city’s Engineering and Transportation Director, emphasized the importance of the corridor. “It’s important from getting all the way from Riverside Parkway to the most northern subdivisions within our community,” Prall explained.
Community Engagement and Vision
The purpose of the December 3 open house was to present the draft study’s proposed alternatives and gather public input. The City of Grand Junction is committed to establishing a vision that balances traffic flow, safety, and accessibility along the corridor.
Though no immediate changes are planned, the city is in the process of evaluating improvement options and wants to hear from the community. The study, conducted by the city, included a feasibility analysis to examine potential upgrades and determine ways to address safety and accessibility concerns.
Prall clarified that the feedback collected will help refine the proposals. “We’re looking forward to their thoughts as well as being able to balance some of those concerns with what really is proposed,” he said.
Proposed Alternatives
During the open house, the city presented several proposed alternatives for improving 7th Street, but no final designs have been determined yet. The goal is to mitigate traffic stress on sidewalks, vehicles, and properties along the corridor.
As part of the process, the city will collaborate with the City Council and prepare for future steps, including right-of-way acquisition and securing funding. Prall noted that the entire process is expected to take over two years to complete.
Next Steps
The city is actively encouraging community members to share their feedback. Interested individuals can visit the EngageGJ page, where they can find more information about the 7th Street study and other ongoing improvement projects in Grand Junction.
