7th Street Active Transportation Corridor

The results of the feasibility study were presented to City Council during the Sept. 16 workshop. View the discussion online. The next step for the project is to seek community input regarding the 7th Street Active Transportation Corridor through forthcoming feedback sessions. Dates coming soon for opportunities for engagement.

The City of Grand Junction conducted a feasibility study to determine the best options for establishing and improving low-stress active transportation facilities along 7th Street, between the Riverfront Trail and Horizon Drive. This will offer a practical connection to the planned shared-use paths along 26 ½ Road (Horizon Drive to Summer Hill Way) and Horizon Drive (existing between 26 ½ Road and G Rd). Community outreach on the project included sending a press release to local media, creating and posting a Newsflash to the City website, and posting a link to the study on social media. Additional feedback was welcomed on a short online survey on EngageGJ.org which included an area for comments all of which closed on Wed., July 31, 2024.

A steering committee was also created including members of the community with a specific interest in travel along 7th Street and to help guide the study goals in relation to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan as well as recommend facilities, identify high-risk locations, review information received during the public outreach, and other tasks. The steering committee worked with the project team including the consultant, KLJ Engineering, and be supported by city staff with technical expertise in transportation, planning, emergency response, and urban forestry. Community members were also able to provide their feedback until July 31, on EngageGJ.org or by visiting pop-up booths during community events such as Market on Main.

7th Street Active Transportation Corridor

7th Street is a significant corridor for north and south travel for pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and personal vehicle traffic. This corridor provides access to Downtown Grand Junction, North Avenue, Colorado Mesa University, Tope Elementary, Grand Junction High School, Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, several healthcare offices, clinics, businesses, Eureka Science Center, and the Art Center. With substantial dining and retail shopping within three blocks of 7th Street along North Avenue and three schools, this is a busy pedestrian area during school months. Grand Valley Transit utilizes the 7th Street corridor, providing bus service along routes three and seven. As one of the few corridors that allows the crossing of railroad tracks adjacent to downtown, 7th Street is the most popular corridor for accessing recreation and entertainment along the Riverfront Trail at Las Colonias.

Through the One Grand Junction Comprehensive Plan and Grand Junction Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan, the City of Grand Junction has identified the need to continue to develop a safe, balanced, and well-connected transportation system that enhances mobility of all travel modes along with the importance of installing low-stress, high comfort bike facilities along the active transportation corridors.

About the Steering Committee

The Steering Committee included representatives from the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado Mesa University, Downtown Development Authority, Grand Junction Historic Preservation Board, Urban Trails Committee, Grand Valley Regional Transportation Planning Office & Grand Valley Transit, One Riverfront Commission, District 51, Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, The Art Center of Western Colorado, City of Grand Junction, business/property owners along the corridor, community members, and KLJ Engineering.