4th and 5th Street Improvements Pilot Project
The City of Grand Junction and Downtown Grand Junction launched a pilot project in Aug. 2024 designed to reduce speeds on 4th and 5th Streets to increase safety for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Throughout the early stages of the pilot, challenges became apparent from a layout perspective, and community feedback provided areas of improvement for modifications to the pilot.
2025 Modifications to the Pilot Project
City staff recommended and received direction from City Council to modify based on challenges with the current layout, feedback from the community, and data collected since the project’s implementation. The pilot will maintain the one-way, one-lane configuration with minor alterations, while several modifications are planned to improve the functionality and address concerns. Review the pilot project modifications in the presentation.
Timeline for modifications:
In the first quarter of 2025, modifications will include minimizing the number of vertical delineators and replacing them with more subtle, lower vertical, elements such as curb stops and rollover humps, to define bulb-outs. Parking spaces near intersections will also be adjusted to increase visibility and sight distances.
In the second quarter of 2025, alterations including restriping both corridors to adjust the bike lane adjacent to the travel lane which accommodates an increase in lane width for vehicular users, and pre-pilot parking configurations will be restored. These recommendations cannot occur until consistent warmer temperatures return.
After the second round of modifications is made, city staff will continue to monitor the pilot project for three to six months collecting data, receiving community feedback, and assessing the pilot’s progress to determine the next steps.
Planning of 4th and 5th Street Pilot Project
Planning done in the 1980s helped lay the foundation for designs developed for 2024 that were implemented. These were based on how the City grew and how downtown evolved for more pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists driving in for business, shopping, a cold beverage, or a meal.
The original study completed in 2022 had contemplated two lanes instead of one. In 2023, at the request of downtown merchants, the City's consultant evaluated a single-lane configuration which confirmed from a traffic volume standpoint, that a single lane on 4th Street and 5th Street would work in the context of the entire downtown street network. This single-lane design accommodated diagonal parking to remain.
The first iteration of the pilot project from Aug. 2024 to early 2025 proved layout challenges with increased community feedback. Early pilot modifications were completed to adjust the configurations.
Notable Changes Include (updated Sept.9):
City Leadership reviewing project plans for 5th Street
- The turning radius at various corners has been modified based on feedback from the original 4th Street design
- Additional diagonal parking will be provided along the west side of 5th Street south of Grand Ave.
- Bike lanes will be added and buffered by parallel parking on both 4th St. and 5th St.
- Angled parking will remain on the left side of both 4th St. and 5th St. in the downtown area
- Reduction to a one-lane, one-way configuration on both 4th St. and 5th St. between North Ave. and Ute Ave
- Belford Ave. is converted to a two-way street between 4th St. and 5th St.
- A westbound bike lane is added to the north side of Belford Ave. and parking is restricted to only the south side between 4th St. and 5th St.
- Travel lanes were adjusted from the original 11 ft. width to 18 ft. creating more room for car doors on either side and providing more room for drivers to navigate around parallel parking vehicles. The Fire Department initially reviewed the designs and since operating emergency vehicles has recommended the increase in travel lane
- Select parking spaces will be restriped to "no parking zone" to increase pedestrian ability to view oncoming traffic, two specifically in concern are along Colorado Ave.
- Three parking spaces near St. Regis will be restored in order to maintain self-waiting areas for riders
Living Streets Mural Project
As a part of the 4th and 5th Street Pilot Project, the Living Streets subcommittee, Community Development, and Parks and Recreation Departments created several Living Streets Mural along these corridors. The artist's work can be seen along the road sections in the downtown area.
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and amateurish. I will give you all some credit, you somehow made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely won't be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. What a complete waste of money and time. With the tight lanes and the even tighter turns, there is going to be some major damage to cars parked in the parallel parking spots. Not to mention all the white posts that have been set up. Busted mirrors and scratched fenders. The auto repair shops in town are going to love this! What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and amateurish. I will give you all some credit, you somehow made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely won't be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. What a complete waste of money and time. With the tight lanes and the even tighter turns, there is going to be some major damage to cars parked in the parallel parking spots. Not to mention all the white posts that have been set up. Busted mirrors and scratched fenders. The auto repair shops in town are going to love this! What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
This artery has always been a fantastic and easy way to get downtown from my home in between 3rd-4th on Belford. I am also a daily post office user and loved the ease of use.
What this project has done in front of the post office is downright DANGEROUS. Not only are many people terrible parallel Parker’s, but the traffic lane is SO NARROW, and people cannot get in and out of their vehicles safely.
The utter lack of regard for the residents and users of this corridor is just awful. I see piles of glass all over the road where the plastic poles are positioned and people are having a hard time making the turns.
Won’t be long before there are multiple accidents and pedestrian incidents. The entrances to Teller Belford etc off of 4th are also TOO NARROW for 2 vehicles to navigate safely, you’ve taken our space for no apparent reason.
Also, good luck with the one way road on Belford between 4th and 5th. It was easy to know it was one way before, but with the barrier removed and it looking like a normal residential street, I can’t tell you how many people I’ve watched go the wrong way on the daily.
Please listen to the people! Please revise this terrible plan before someone gets hurt
Horrible idea. Went to the Post Office, 3 times in the last 3 days. A lot of confusion for the elderly drivers. I will probably stay away from the area, will only go to the Post Office, will park at my Church and walk.
I have driven south in 4th several times since the change to one lane. The lane is not as spacious as on your illustration. On one occasion, I almost had an accident when a man opened his car door. Not enough room. I had to stop. There is too much traffic using both 4th and 5th ti narrow it yo ine lane. Also, it is not safe around the post office area and way too congested! Please reconsider.
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and amateurish. I will give you all some credit, you somehow made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely won't be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. What a complete waste of money and time. With the tight lanes and the even tighter turns, there is going to be some major damage to cars parked in the parallel parking spots. Not to mention all the white posts that have been set up. Busted mirrors and scratched fenders. The auto repair shops in town are going to love this! What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and amateurish. I will give you all some credit, you somehow made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely won't be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. What a complete waste of money and time. With the tight lanes and the even tighter turns, there is going to be some major damage to cars parked in the parallel parking spots. Not to mention all the white posts that have been set up. Busted mirrors and scratched fenders. The auto repair shops in town are going to love this! What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and amateurish. I will give you all some credit, you somehow made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely won't be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. What a complete waste of money and time. With the tight lanes and the even tighter turns, there is going to be some major damage to cars parked in the parallel parking spots. Not to mention all the white posts that have been set up. Busted mirrors and scratched fenders. The auto repair shops in town are going to love this! What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and amateurish. I will give you all some credit, you somehow made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely won't be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. What a complete waste of money and time. With the tight lanes and the even tighter turns, there is going to be some major damage to cars parked in the parallel parking spots. Not to mention all the white posts that have been set up. Busted mirrors and scratched fenders. The auto repair shops in town are going to love this! What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and amateurish. I will give you all some credit, you some how made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely wont be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. What a complete waste of money and time. With the tight lanes and the even tighter turns, there are going to be some major damage to cars parked in the parallel parking spots. Not to mention all the white posts that have been set up. Busted mirrors and scratched fenders. The auto repair shops in town are going to love this! What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and amateurish. I will give you all some credit, you some how made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely wont be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. What a complete waste of money and time. With the tight lanes and the even tighter turns, there are going to be some major damage to cars parked in the parallel parking spots. Not to mention all the white posts that have been set up. Busted mirrors and scratched fenders. The auto repair shops in town are going to love this! What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and amateurish. I will give you all some credit, you some how made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely wont be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. What a complete waste of money and time. With the tight lanes and the even tighter turns, there are going to be some major damage to cars parked in the parallel parking spots. Not to mention all the white posts that have been set up. Busted mirrors and scratched fenders. The auto repair shops in town are going to love this! What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and complete chaos. I will give you all some credit, you some how made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely wont be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. Less parking and harder to navigate? No thank you! What a complete waste of money and time. Tight lanes and even tighter turns, so tight, I clipped one of the the white posts on 4th and Grand. If my small truck has a hard time turning, how will delivery trucks and the likes turn? What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and complete chaos. I will give you all some credit, you some how made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely wont be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. Less parking and harder to navigate? No thank you! What a complete waste of money and time. Tight lanes and even tighter turns, so tight, I clipped one of the the white posts on 4th and Grand. If my small truck has a hard time turning, how will delivery trucks and the likes turn? What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and complete chaos. I will give you all some credit, you some how made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely wont be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. Less parking and harder to navigate? No thank you! What a complete waste of money and time. Tight lanes and even tighter turns, so tight, I clipped one of the the white posts on 4th and Grand. If my small truck has a hard time turning, how will delivery trucks and the likes turn? What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
I use this corridor every day, several times/day. This is the most ridiculous plan the City has come up with. It will increase frustration and the number of accidents. If you want people to slow down, enforce the traffic laws we already have! Give tickets to speeders!
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and complete chaos. I will give you all some credit, you some how made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely wont be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. Less parking and harder to navigate? No thank you! What a complete waste of money and time. Tight lanes and even tighter turns, so tight, I clipped one of the the white posts on 4th and Grand. If my small truck has a hard time turning, how will delivery trucks and the likes turn? What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
What in the third world country did yall do to 4th street? It looks like a 5th grade build a city project, ugly as sin and complete chaos. I will give you all some credit, you some how made it even harder to get downtown. Congrats! I definitely wont be making my way down to Main St. again any time soon. Less parking and harder to navigate? No thank you! What a complete waste of money and time. Tight lanes and even tighter turns, so tight, I clipped one of the the white posts on 4th and Grand. If my small truck has a hard time turning, how will delivery trucks and the likes turn? What city email should citizens send all the future damage claims to?
I’d like to know why the city is spending money on something that wasn’t broken? Spend our tax dollars on fixing and maintaining our rough beat up roads around town. Put in crosswalk lights or speed bumps for safety and to slow traffic but don’t take a two lane road and condense it to one lane. And don’t put in parallel parking that’s going to stop the flow of traffic and then have car doors opening directly next to the one lane of traffic. 4th street is awful now. We are not Denver, the beauty of our downtown has always been that it’s easy to navigate and easy to find parking right where you want to go. Sadly the new 4th and 5th streets will deter many people from wanting to go downtown. I have not talked to a single person that likes the new design. Please listen to the community!
I really want to like this pilot. I like the idea of changing the behavior of commuters to use alternative routes, or to slow and enjoy the beauty of driving through downtown as they pass through. Preferred route suggestions might also need to be made available, especially during times of construction on parts of Pitkin and Ute.
I'm all for a change along 4th and 5th and actually was one of the people with the unpopular opinion of making them two way and eliminating the one ways.
I live downtown, in the original square mile, and have for over 16 years. To me the driving lane on 4th and the parallel parking are too narrow. It reminds me of when Delta used to have the two lanes on Main next to their parallel parking, it was always uncomfortable to park and extremely unsafe feeling when stepping out of your car (their uplift eliminated this unsafe situation).
A change needs to be made to reduce the scooter and "art" space width, to push the bike lane closer to the curb and to give parallel parkers space to park and to safely exit and reenter their cars. With shopping bags, car seats, canes, etc there just doesn't seem to be a safe way to exit your vehicle until you make sure there is absolutely no car in sight.
Don't give up, but please adjust.