On Nov. 15, 2021, the City and County entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to establish agency responsibilities for work on environmental clearances and federal and state approvals for the 29 Road and I-70 Interchange as required by the Colorado Department of Transportation's Interchange Approval Process Policy (1601).
"This is a project that most residents of Mesa County have wanted for a long time," said Mesa County Board of Commissioners Chair Janet Rowland. "We are thankful to have a good working relationship with the City of Grand Junction so that we can partner on this important project."
"Maintaining a well-planned transportation network is important to residents and our local economy," Mayor Chuck McDaniel added. "Projects like these add capacity to our network and improve the ways we move within the city."
The MOU also outlines the total local share of the project's actual cost will be divided equally.
From 2018 to 2020, Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction conducted a study to assess the need and overall vision for improved access to I-70 between the existing Horizon Drive and I-70B interchanges. The study provided a thorough understanding of the existing and future transportation conditions and the potential benefits and impacts of a new interchange, which has long been included in local and regional transportation plans.
Following a detailed alternatives analysis process, the study recommended 29 Road as the preferred location for a new interchange at I-70, a roadway connection to the north of I-70, and improvements on 29 Road between I-70 and Patterson Road.
Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction have secured funding for an environmental clearance study of the recommended improvements. Funding for the interchange construction and related 29 Road improvements have not yet been identified, so the timing of construction is uncertain. It is anticipated that the 1601 will take approximately three years to complete.
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