The Grand Junction City Council voted unanimously on Oct. 1 to reissue the remaining $20 million of a voter-authorized general fund revenue bond authorization to complete a set of transportation projects across the city.

City Chief Financial Officer Jay Valentine told council that voters in 2019 authorized up to $70 million in general fund revenue bonds; the city issued $50 million in 2020 and is now proposing issuance of the remaining $20 million in order to complete projects already under way or designed. Valentine said staff delayed issuing the full authorization previously to avoid carrying costs while proceeds remained unused.

Trent Prowl, director of engineering and transportation, outlined project priorities that the bond proceeds would help complete. Projects discussed included upgrades to 24 Road and G Road (the projects already completed were noted as the first tranche), ongoing right-of-way work and design for 4 Canyons, and an intersection roundabout at Horizon Drive and G Road (27½ Road) scheduled for a ribbon-cutting in November. Planned projects funded by this tranche and subsequent work include D & A½ Road (between 29¼ and 30 Road) to improve capacity and provide safe routes to Pear Park Elementary; B & A½ Road (29 Road to 29¾ Road) for safe routes to Orchard Mesa Middle School; 24½ Road (north of Patterson to Canyon View Park); 26½ Road improvements; and other multimodal and sidewalk projects across growing areas.

Valentine said the city initially issued $50 million and is reissuing the remainder of the voter-approved authorization so that the projects already in design and right-of-way acquisition can be completed without further delay. Council members emphasized that the bond-funded work is not limited to vehicle capacity: projects include sidewalks, pedestrian and bicycle facilities and aim to convert former farm-to-market roads to urban collectors.

Council adopted the consent item on the revenue bonds by separate motion; the vote on the revenue-bond consent item was 7-0.

Staff said some of the projects are already under construction or at design/ROW stages and that right-of-way acquisition has been completed for some corridors. The city emphasized the projects’ goals of providing multimodal options and safe routes to schools in fast-growing areas. Mayor and council members asked staff to present more detailed project- and cost-level information at a future meeting; staff said a fuller presentation would be available at the next council hearing for additional public visibility.