I-70B 1st Street and Grand Avenue intersection project restarts

Travel Advisory

March 17, 2022 - Northwestern Colorado - Finishing work includes installation of curbs, gutters and sidewalks as well as landscaping and final striping

Mesa County — The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor United Companies have restarted the I-70B 1st Street and Grand Avenue Improvement Project. The intersection of 1st & Grand has been fully open since December 2021, but finishing work remains. In order to complete the project, work remains on curbs, gutters and sidewalks as well as final landscaping and striping. Work is anticipated to be complete, weather permitting, by late April.

Work Accomplished in 2021

  • Excavation, reconstruction, concrete paving and striping of I-70B from Mulberry St. to Main St. is complete. The improved alignment of this intersection allows for a safer driving experience for motorists. Approximately 36,000 square yards of concrete paving was installed throughout the project limits.
  • Construction of the new pedestrian pathway provides a safer mode of connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Construction of the I-70 Business Loop (I-70B) frontage road and sidewalk on the east side of the Grand Central shopping plaza has completed the connection of that corridor to the west end of I-70B.
  • All neighboring roadway closures, including North 1st St. and Grand Ave., as well as Ouray Ave., Rood Ave., White Ave. and Spruce St., were reopened to through traffic at the end of 2021.

Additional work during the 2021 construction season included:

  • Fifteen new traffic signal poles at three intersections.
  • Eighty-four new drainage structures and over 4,000 linear feet of new, reinforced concrete pipe.
  • Approximately 5,000 square yards of new sidewalks and ADA ramps and over 16,000 linear feet of curb and gutter improvements.
  • New median lighting and landscaping enhancements and 14,000 linear feet of conduit.

Project Information

The project area includes the I-70B from Mulberry Street to Rood Avenue, and Colorado Highway 340 (Broadway) from Mulberry Street/Rice Street to 2nd Street. The project is scheduled to be fully complete by late April 2022.

The project improves the 5-way intersection, including widening the roadway, consolidating access, improving street connections and constructing improved bike and pedestrian connections. Once complete the project will improve safety, congestion and increase multimodal opportunities.

For additional information about this project:

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts, anticipated travel impacts, and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be patient!

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