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Mesa County ratifies MOU with Grand Junction to advance I‑70/29 Road interchange design
Summary
Mesa County commissioners voted 3‑0 April 7 to ratify a memorandum of understanding with the City of Grand Junction to advance environmental documentation and 30% design for an I‑70/29 Road interchange; the county’s share is $207,875.50 toward a $2 million federal grant.
Mesa County commissioners on April 7 voted to ratify a memorandum of understanding with the City of Grand Junction to advance design work for an interchange at Interstate 70 and 29 Road, approving a county contribution of $207,875.50 toward federally directed funds to complete environmental documentation and roughly 30% design.
Scott May, public works director, told the board the city secured congressionally directed federal funds that will pay for further design and environmental work, and the county’s participation will help advance the corridor from Patterson to the interchange. "That design will include environmental documentation... and advance the interchange design to about 30%," May said.
The project is planned in two phases: an initial three‑lane, multimodal cross section to address near‑term needs and a subsequent five‑lane section from Patterson to the interchange to accommodate longer‑term traffic demand, May said. He named nearby facilities — Independence Academy and a new City of Grand Junction facility — and forecast heavier traffic around Matchitt Park once the new recreation center opens as reasons the county and city are pursuing the design work now.
A commissioner who spoke during deliberations characterized the 2024 ballot result as a rejection of a debt instrument rather than a rejection of the project itself, and said the county must secure CDOT and Federal Highway Administration approvals before returning to voters with a more complete package. "The idea that this isn't needed is false," the commissioner said, adding that 29 Road improvements and an interstate connection are necessary over time.
After closing public comment, a commissioner moved to approve the item "as published," a second was called, and the board approved the ratification by voice vote, 3 to 0. The ratified MOU will allow county staff to accept and apply federal design funds and proceed with the next phase of project development to achieve required transportation agency approvals.
