East Orchard Mesa residents and commuters using 38 Road are one step closer to seeing significant safety and infrastructure updates along a key local corridor. As The Business Times reported, Mesa County announced in a news release that final design plans for upcoming pedestrian and bicyclist improvements are currently being prepared by J-U-B Engineers Inc. The safety project is specifically targeted at enhancing travel conditions on the west side of 38 Road, creating dedicated space for non-motorized traffic.
The initial phase of the project focuses on a stretch starting from the bottom of the 38 Road hill and extending north for approximately 600 feet. Within this targeted area, the construction scope includes laying down a brand-new pedestrian and bike path to separate foot and bicycle traffic from vehicles. To accommodate the geographic terrain and drainage along the route, the engineering plans also call for the installation of a new box-culvert crossing alongside a dedicated pedestrian bridge.
While final designs are currently underway, physical construction on 38 Road is scheduled to begin in 2027. Funding for the substantial infrastructure upgrade has been secured through the Colorado Department of Transportation via a Transportation Alternatives Program grant totaling $2,352,944 for construction.
The state grant program requires a 20 percent local matching contribution to unlock the awarded funds. Under this financial structure, 80 percent of the construction funding, amounting to $1,882,355, will come from federal sources. Mesa County will supply the required 20 percent local match, which comes out to $470,589 to complete the project's funding package.
County planners are looking beyond the immediate 600-foot improvement area as well. A future phase of the project is already planned to build upon these upcoming upgrades, eventually extending the pedestrian and bicycle path farther north all the way to U.S. Highway 6.
For residents in East Orchard Mesa, the planned additions of the pedestrian bridge, box-culvert crossing, and dedicated path on 38 Road aim to resolve long-standing safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists navigating the area. Mesa County and J-U-B Engineers Inc. will continue finalizing the design plans ahead of the anticipated 2027 construction start date.
