CLIFTON, CO — Mesa County Commissioners have officially approved a $4.6 million contract to begin the second phase of major roadway and safety improvements along 32 1/2 Road in Clifton.
The contract, which was approved during a public hearing on Tuesday, September 15, was awarded to Mountain Valley Contracting, Inc. following a competitive bidding process that drew responses from seven different contractors.
Construction is slated to begin in late September or early October and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
Phase II of the project will focus on the stretch of 32 1/2 Road from the north side of the Grand Valley Canal to Front Street. Officials state this is currently one of the largest road construction projects in Mesa County.
The comprehensive improvement plan includes the following upgrades:
- A complete rebuild and widening of the roadway
- Installation of new sidewalks equipped with accessible curb ramps
- Enhanced drainage infrastructure for better stormwater management
- Construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of 32 1/2 Road and E 1/2 Road
The decision to install a roundabout stems from a high number of broadside crashes at the current two-way stop intersection. According to county officials, roundabouts have been shown to reduce overall crash rates by 70% and decrease fatal and injury crashes by more than 80%.
Phase II builds upon previous improvements made along the 32 1/2 Road corridor, which included replacing the bridge over the Grand Valley Canal and extending the roadway south of E Road to create a continuous route.