A well-designed and balanced transportation system will support
access, circulation, and the safe movement of all modes of motorized
and nonmotorized transportation. Multiple travel routes provide greater
options for driving, walking, and biking, and help reduce congestion
by diffusing traffic. Well-connected street networks have been shown
to reduce congestion, increase safety for drivers and pedestrians,
and promote walking, biking, and transit use. The Grand Valley Circulation
Plan (2010) shows existing and future roads that would serve the plan
area (Appendix Map 12).
(a) “Complete Streets” are ones in which the design addresses
the needs of users of all ages and abilities, including safety, mobility
and accessibility. This means planning for everyone: pedestrians and
bicyclists as well as the movement of vehicles and public transit.
An important component of Complete Streets is providing for connectivity
by creating small-scale, low-speed streets as part of a dense street
grid with small block lengths. Such street networks maximize efficient
traffic flow and roadway capacity while increasing safety by holding
vehicles to slower speeds. Small block lengths encourage walking and
increase pedestrian safety. Increasing connectivity is less costly,
more cost-efficient, and less impactful than widening arterial roadways.
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)
There is a significant need for pedestrian and bicycle improvements
throughout Orchard Mesa. Highway 50 has no pedestrian infrastructure
and few crossings, limiting the ability of local residents to walk
or bike safely. Notably, Mesa Valley School District No. 51 buses
students who would have to cross Highway 50 to school, even though
students may live within the designated walking area. A bike and pedestrian
path along Highway 50, as well as improved crossings, is a high priority.
A few bike and pedestrian facilities are located along streets, but
Orchard Mesa has little in the way of dedicated bike routes and pedestrian
paths within the neighborhoods and connecting to other areas (Appendix
Map 13). The Urban Trails Master Plan (UTMP) identifies existing and
future routes for bike facilities and trails.
Grade-separated pedestrian crossings (bridges) are the safest
method to provide Highway 50 crossings for students and residents.
While building new pedestrian bridges is very expensive, reconfiguring
the B 1/2 Road overpass to include pedestrian and bicycle facilities
would provide both an economical and functional solution that significantly
improves connections between schools, neighborhoods, commercial areas
and the fairgrounds. Further improvements along the Highway 50 corridor
would complement the reconfigured B 1/2 Road interchange and improve
mobility. (Figure 8; Appendix Maps 14 and 15)
Figure 8: Neighborhood Center Circulation Concept Plan
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The nationally historic Old Spanish Trail travels through Orchard
Mesa; the historical crossing of the Colorado River was near 28 3/4
Road. The Colorado Riverfront trail system runs along the north bank
of the Colorado River and can be accessed from Orchard Mesa at four
river crossings. Natural drainage ways traverse the planning area
running north/northwest and can provide possible future trail connections
to the trail facilities already in place. Linking neighborhoods with
the Colorado River, downtown Grand Junction, village centers, neighborhood
centers and other desired public attractions will provide a more complete
transportation network for Orchard Mesa residents. Chapter 39.4 GJMC,
Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails, provides more detail on
trails, as well as additional goals and actions. (Appendix Maps 13
and 24)
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)
Public transit is an important component of a multi-modal system.
It provides transportation for people without reliable transportation,
as well as the elderly and others with limited mobility. It can also
help to relieve road congestion. Bus service is provided by Grand
Valley Transit (GVT). The GVT system includes a route that travels
from the transit center at 5th Street and South Avenue through Orchard
Mesa and north along 29 Road to the Mesa County Workforce Center at
North Avenue. This provides direct connections to a number of other
routes serving Grand Junction and the Grand Valley. Buses run every
half hour, Monday through Saturday; there is no service on Sundays
or holidays. GVT buses are wheelchair accessible. Paratransit riders
may also qualify for curb-to-curb service.
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)
In 2009 Mesa County, the City of Grand Junction, and the Colorado
Department of Transportation (CDOT) entered into an agreement to implement
an Access Control Plan (ACP) for U.S. Highway 50. The plan establishes
future access conditions on a property-by-property basis along the
corridor. The purpose of the ACP is to provide reasonable access to
adjacent properties while maintaining safe and efficient traffic flow.
Key objectives include reducing traffic conflicts and improving traffic
safety. Certain proposed actions in this plan would implement the
ACP, such as the addition of pedestrian and bicycle facilities on
the B 1/2 Road overpass.
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)
For the past several years and during this planning process,
the City and County have heard from businesses and residents about
the many transportation needs on Orchard Mesa. The following is an
unranked list of these projects:
(a) Highway 50 multi-modal improvements including nonmotorized crossings;
(b) B 1/2 Road multi-modal improvements;
(c) 29 Road and Unaweep Avenue intersection control;
(d) B Road multi-modal improvements;
(e) 32 Road corridor improvements;
(f) A connection between the Old Spanish Trail and the Colorado Riverfront
trail system;
(g) New Black Bridge (bike/pedestrian) connecting Orchard Mesa with the
Redlands;
(h) Bicycle improvements on the Fruit and Wine Byway;
(i) 27 Road multi-modal improvements;
(j) Complete Streets traffic improvements and other measures at key locations
such as commercial centers, schools, parks and other activity centers.
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)