GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – Discussions about the 4th and 5th Street Pilot Project are still ongoing, months after its completion.

City Council member Cody Kennedy wrote a second blog post called: “4. and Still Looking for the “Why” in the Redesign of 5th Avenue.”

He wrote about traffic limiting and crash data on the blog. Kennedy said he disagreed with just looking at the data. He thinks this method ignores the voice of the community.

“Relying solely on traffic figures and accident reports ignores the realities of daily interactions on our streets,” he said. Kennedy gave this example: “The data will not show that a cyclist making a right turn from 4th Street onto Rood nearly collided with a motor vehicle when the cyclist suddenly appeared from behind a parked car.”

He also addressed potential safety concerns for commercial drivers and emergency vehicles. He said emergency responders expressed concern that the streets were too narrow for firefighters and ambulances to pass safely.

“When citizens have no place to pull over and give way to emergency vehicles, response times are prolonged and lives are put at risk,” Kennedy said. “Emergency vehicles with lights and sirens need enough space to pass, especially during rush hour.”

It also addresses concerns voiced by local business owners. Some business owners feel the redesign eliminates more parking spaces than adds them. They also think that the new parking layout poses a security risk.

Kennedy suggested alternative solutions, such as adding bike lanes on 3rd and 6th streets, elevating crosswalks as effective speed bumps, and timing signals to slow traffic.

“I urge my council members and city staff to rethink this project, focusing on balanced, practical and accessible solutions that will truly serve the interests of Grand Junction,” Kennedy said.

On the other side of the table, the Great Junction City a press release In September, the project was said to improve safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The September press release stated that the design is a result of feedback provided in the 4th and 5th Avenue Feasibility Study conducted in 2022 and additional input from businesses and residents in 2023.

“Community feedback has led to regulations that widen travel lanes, improve corner visibility and increase available parking spaces. The project has been successful in reducing vehicle speeds, which has improved the safety of those traveling downtown by car, bike or on foot,” Director of Engineering and Transportation Trent Prall said in September. “This pilot phase will allow community members to experience the corridors and provide feedback to the city. continues.”

Community members started a petition for “you”Don’t do the 4th and 5th street disaster.” The petition was launched three weeks ago and has more than 1,000 digital signatures.

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