A petition to reverse the controversial 4th and 5th Street improvements in Grand Junction, Colorado, is gaining momentum as residents express concerns over the project’s impact on traffic safety.
The 4th and 5th Street Improvements Pilot Project was intended to enhance safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. However, feedback from local residents suggests that the changes may not be achieving the desired outcomes.
Concerns About Safety and Traffic Flow
The project, which was introduced to make these major streets safer, has left many locals questioning whether it’s having the opposite effect. John Fogg, a Grand Junction resident, voiced his frustration with the new setup. “I’m not really impressed with it. I think it’s confusing, and it’s probably going to cause some accidents,” he said. According to Fogg, the new design is causing confusion among drivers, with some mistakenly turning into the wrong lanes. “I see people going in the wrong lane to turn and going straight into turn lanes,” he added, indicating that the traffic flow isn’t as intuitive as it should be.
For others, the changes have created new inconveniences, making commutes slower. “It’s an annoyance to have to reroute,” said local resident Jordan Higgins. While Higgins acknowledges the potential long-term safety benefits, he admits that the new street layout is frustrating. “Nothing is as fast because no other street has the lights timed for the flow,” he explained. This combination of confusion and delays has prompted many to consider signing the petition to undo the project.
Supporters Acknowledge the Drawbacks
Even those who initially supported the changes recognize the project’s flaws. “I know that if a bunch of other people were driving like I did, statistics add up and sooner or later that’s going to cause accidents,” Higgins reflected. His admission highlights a key issue: while the design may be safer in theory, it’s not as practical for daily drivers. The idea that safer streets could mean slower commutes is a significant point of contention for residents who feel they’re sacrificing convenience for safety.
Though the project aimed to improve safety for cyclists, some locals believe it might be unintentionally putting cyclists at risk. The new layout has created more potential areas of conflict between vehicles and cyclists, making some feel uneasy about the increased dangers, particularly in busy traffic areas.
City Council Member Suggests Alternative Plan
City Council member Cody Kennedy has been receptive to the concerns raised by residents. Kennedy noted that first responders, in particular, have had trouble navigating the newly redesigned streets. Additionally, concerns about cyclist safety have been voiced. In response, Kennedy has proposed a potential solution to address these issues: “The solutions that I’m recommending are that we take a look at maintaining the traffic flow for 4th and 5th Streets as two lanes of traffic and moving our bike lanes to 3rd and 6th.”
This proposed change would separate the different modes of transportation, putting cyclists on less congested streets, thereby reducing the likelihood of dangerous interactions with vehicles. Kennedy’s approach aims to address both the flow of traffic and the safety concerns of cyclists, offering a more streamlined solution.
Petition Gathers Support
Despite these proposals, many residents feel strongly that the current changes need to be reversed. As of now, the petition calling for the undoing of the 4th and 5th Street improvements has garnered more than 1,100 signatures. The petition reflects a growing sentiment among locals that the project may have done more harm than good.
The push for change highlights a deeper debate over how cities balance the needs of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. While improving safety is always a priority, the practicalities of how those improvements are implemented can sometimes fall short of expectations.
Grand Junction’s city government now faces the challenge of addressing these concerns. Whether the city will heed the calls for undoing the project or proceed with the proposed adjustments remains to be seen.
