Council directs staff to implement modified Phase 2 of Fourth and Fifth Street pilot, seeks short public engagement

Grand Junction councilmembers on Monday signaled general support for a near‑term, temporary Phase 2 modification to the city’s Fourth and Fifth Street pilot project — a striping and parking reconfiguration staff said can be implemented within weeks for roughly $40,000 — while directing a short period of additional community engagement to weigh longer‑term alternatives.

Trent Kral, the city’s engineering and transportation director, outlined Phase 2 changes that would restore some parking, move the bike lane adjacent to traffic with a painted buffer, and narrow driving lanes to slow vehicle speeds. Kral said the striping work for the Phase 2 modifications could be installed within about two weeks once materials arrive and that the configuration is reversible as staff develops longer‑term designs.

The workshop featured more than two hours of public safety, engineering and council discussion. Councilmember Robert, citing feedback gathered downtown, said, “the public…