7th Street Finally Reopens!

After a lengthy delay, the 7th street construction project is complete

The project was originally scheduled for competition "before the beginning of the school year." A delay in the utility work by Xcel Energy pushed the project back. The next estimated time for completion was "towards the end of September." Finally, in mid-October, the project is finished. The job cost 1.4 million to complete.

It's such a big deal that city dignitaries gathered for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate. 7th was reconstructed the entire stretch from North Avenue up to Orchard Avenue. Mayor Barbara Traylor Smith was joined by community leaders and city workers to announce the reopening. "Usually we don't slow down long enough to celebrate some of these things but this one was a long enough project and really challenge the community in trying to get North and South through town as we were limited to one lane each direction", says Public Works Director Trent Prall.

Don't get too comfortable with your 7th street commute. The City of Grand Junction has another big project planned for early 2019. This will be the segment of 7th Street from Orchard Avenue on up to Patterson Road.

Credit: Westernslopenow.com