Mesa County has been awarded a substantial grant from the State of Colorado to tackle roadway hazards and improve critical transportation routes used by heavy commercial vehicles, including fuel tankers.

Announced Tuesday, the grant delivers $240,000 annually for five years, totaling $1.2 million, and marks a major investment in safety and resilience across one of Colorado’s most logistically vital counties.

Keeping the Roads Safe — And Open

Public Works Director Scott Mai said the funding will allow the county to better prepare its roadways for increasing wear and tear — especially from the heavy trucks that transport gasoline, diesel, and other essential materials.

“Where you are distributing the fuels, you’ve got heavy trucks, and you’ve got additional truck traffic to get fuel to the gas stations it needs to go to,” Mai explained. “This is something to help us mitigate some of the things that happen to our roadways — to address any safety issues that we might have on those roadways and any maintenance issues that we might have.”

Fuel Corridors, Fragile Pavement

Mesa County is home to hundreds of miles of rural and suburban roadways that serve everything from agriculture to energy infrastructure. But many of those roads weren’t designed for the volume or weight of today’s transportation demands.

The annual grant, while not massive, gives the county new flexibility to target hazard-prone corridors, particularly those used by fuel tankers — where spills or accidents could trigger costly and dangerous disruptions.

Mai said the mitigation work will address both safety improvements and structural reinforcements, though the exact scope remains under discussion.

What Gets Fixed First?

Before construction crews can roll out, Mesa County must determine where the funds can make the biggest impact. That means multi-agency coordination — and input from the public.

“I think definitely sit down with our Road and Bridge group and sit down with our Traffic Department to see what kind of things they’ve seen,” Mai said. “We have three district supervisors around the county in Road and Bridge that drive the roads every day.”

These district supervisors bring firsthand knowledge of deteriorating surfaces, poor visibility zones, and winter-damaged stretches of asphalt. Their input will be combined with insights from traffic engineers and hazard response teams.

Listening to the Locals

One of the most unique parts of Mesa County’s planning process? It includes everyday residents.

The Citizen Road Problem Reporter System — an online platform where locals can submit road complaints or concerns — is a key tool for setting priorities.

“We look over that probably weekly,” said Mai. “We look at all of the reports that come in and any complaints that people have. So that’s probably where we would start.”

Mesa County encourages residents to continue using the tool, especially as planning intensifies. From potholes to poor signage, each submission is reviewed by the Public Works team. The system can be accessed here.

Behind the Scenes: Engineering and Compliance

Even with input from the community and internal departments, final project approval will depend on the county’s engineering team — and state-level oversight.

“We sit down with our engineering staff and try to make sure that we address the things that are required in the grant,” Mai explained. “To make sure that the state is going to like the project that we choose.”

The process is designed to ensure accountability and strategic value, especially when public funds are involved.

No Timeline Yet — But Planning Is Underway

As of early May, the county had no definitive timeline for when construction will begin. The focus remains on coordination, prioritization, and compliance with grant requirements.

That said, stakeholders across Mesa County appear eager to get the most out of the funding.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to look at where our vulnerable areas are,” said Mai. “And to use that money wisely.”

Why It Matters: A County at the Crossroads

Mesa County, home to Grand Junction and key fuel and freight routes, sits at a literal crossroads between eastern Utah and western Colorado. That gives it an outsized role in regional transportation — but also exposes it to disproportionate infrastructure strain.

In recent years, the region has seen:

• Increased freight traffic tied to oil, gas, and agriculture

• Winter storm-related road degradation

• Emergency closures due to slide-prone corridors and freeze-thaw damage

This new funding, officials say, is a step toward building resilience — especially for roads whose failure could impact fuel delivery and public safety countywide.

What Comes Next?

Over the coming months, the county will be evaluating:

• Which roads qualify as hazardous mitigation corridors under the grant

• Which improvements meet state guidelines

• How best to sequence the work over the five-year grant period

Mai said updates will be shared with the public as soon as the project selection phase is complete.

Until then, Mesa County residents can continue submitting road issues at the Public Works Department website and expect greater transparency as the first round of upgrades is finalized.