CDOT to Begin Next Phase of I-70B Construction in Downtown Grand Junction

The $13.8 million project will reconstruct Pitkin and Ute Avenues, impacting traffic in the area for over a year.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:07pm

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The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), in partnership with Native Sun Construction, will begin a safety and mobility improvement project in downtown Grand Junction in early February 2026. The construction will primarily focus on the reconstruction of Pitkin Avenue and Ute Avenue between Third Street and Sixth Street, reducing both streets to a single lane during weekday work hours.

Why it matters

The project is part of CDOT's ongoing efforts to improve the I-70B corridor, which serves as a critical transportation artery for the Grand Junction region, providing access to retail, employment centers, and other key destinations. The reconstruction aims to address congestion, improve business access, and enhance multimodal safety along the route.

The details

During the project, travelers can expect Ute and Pitkin Avenues and Fourth and Fifth Streets to be reduced to a single lane. Additional temporary closures on Fourth and Fifth Streets may also occur. Construction will take place primarily on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some weekend and night work as needed. The $13.8 million project will transform Pitkin and Ute Avenues into three continuous lanes for through-travel, as well as include drainage improvements, utility upgrades, landscape beautification, and the installation of new traffic signals and concrete sidewalks.

  • The project will begin in early February 2026.
  • CDOT will host an open house meeting on Monday, January 27, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • CDOT anticipates the project to be completed in early 2027.

The players

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

The state transportation agency responsible for the I-70B improvement project in Grand Junction.

Native Sun Construction

The construction company partnering with CDOT on the project.

Jason Smith

CDOT Regional Transportation Director

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What they’re saying

“These continuing phases of roadway improvements along the I70 Business route show CDOT's continuing dedication to the betterment of our roadways and the safety of our commuters, bicyclists, and pedestrians.”

— Jason Smith, CDOT Regional Transportation Director

What’s next

CDOT will host an Open House meeting on Monday, January 27, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Conference Room 40A at Mesa County Central Services, located at 200 South Spruce Street, for the public to meet the project team, gather resources and learn more about the project.

The takeaway

The I-70B reconstruction project in downtown Grand Junction is a critical infrastructure upgrade that will improve safety, mobility, and access along a key transportation corridor serving the region's retail, employment, and recreational destinations. The project is part of CDOT's broader efforts to enhance the state's roadways and meet the needs of a growing Grand Junction community.