Mesa County has approved Phase 1 of the Orchard Avenue Safety and Connectivity Project, a nearly $4 million investment that includes full roadway reconstruction, a new roundabout at 31 Road, and major Lewis Wash infrastructure upgrades. Construction is set to begin in July 2026.
Mesa County is moving forward with a major investment in one of Grand Junction’s key transportation corridors, as the Orchard Avenue Safety and Connectivity Project officially shifts from planning into construction.
On April 28, the Mesa County Board of County Commissioners approved a $3,937,740.95 construction contract for Phase 1 of the long-anticipated project, launching the first major stretch of improvements designed to make Orchard Avenue safer, more efficient, and better connected for drivers, pedestrians, and surrounding neighborhoods.
The first phase will focus on approximately 1,885 feet of full roadway reconstruction along Orchard Avenue, including the addition of a new roundabout at 31 Road.
County officials say the roundabout is expected to improve traffic flow while reducing dangerous conflict points often associated with traditional intersections. Roundabouts are increasingly used in transportation safety planning because they can lower the severity of crashes, improve vehicle movement, and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
In addition to roadway improvements, this phase also includes replacement of an aging culvert and pedestrian bridge over Lewis Wash. These upgrades are intended to improve drainage, strengthen infrastructure reliability, and support safer pedestrian access through the corridor.
Phase 1 is only the beginning of a broader, multi-phase transformation of Orchard Avenue.
The larger Orchard Avenue Safety and Connectivity Project is designed to modernize a critical east-west route in Mesa County, addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges while improving regional mobility.
County leaders emphasized that while the nearly $4 million Phase 1 contract is substantial, Mesa County’s direct contribution is approximately $3 million, thanks to strategic use of outside funding sources.
Across all three phases, Mesa County is expected to cover only about 12 percent of the total project cost, with the majority funded through state and federal transportation investments, including:
• CDOT Revitalizing Main Street Grant
• Federal Highway Administration BUILD Grant
This funding strategy allows Mesa County to pursue large-scale infrastructure improvements while minimizing pressure on local taxpayers.
For residents, commuters, and businesses, Orchard Avenue serves as an important corridor connecting neighborhoods, schools, and commercial areas.
The project is expected to deliver several long-term benefits, including:
• Improved driver safety
• Better traffic flow at a key intersection
• Modernized stormwater and drainage infrastructure
• Safer pedestrian access
• Increased corridor reliability for future growth
As Mesa County continues to expand, projects like Orchard Avenue reflect broader efforts to balance growth with infrastructure modernization.
Construction on Phase 1 is expected to begin in July 2026.
Drivers in the area should anticipate future traffic impacts as work begins, though additional construction schedules and detour details are expected closer to the project start date.
