As part of a program that began in 1993 to assure the highest quality drinking water, the City of Grand Junction Water Services Division will begin spring hydrant flushing on Monday, April 23. The complete process will take approximately three weeks.

There are 970 fire hydrants and 150 miles of pipe in the City of Grand Junction’s service area. This program will flush 50% of those fire hydrants. Ron Key, Water Distribution Supervisor states, “The total amount of water used in the flushing program equates to about one half of an average day’s consumption during the month of May.”

Other than maintaining water quality, reasons for flushing the water system include:

• Increased chlorine residuals to the extremities of the water system
• Eliminate taste and odors
• Remove discolored water
• Maintain the life of the water mains
• Check fire flows and exercise fire hydrants

Some of the noticeable effects of flushing may be discolored water, low water pressure and noticeable water in the streets and gutters. These conditions should only be for short periods of time. If discolored water is noticed coming from your faucet the water should be allowed to run for several minutes to clear the service line.

During this process, the Water Division will make every effort to cause the least amount of disruption to water service possible. This program is just one way the Division seeks to provide a high level of customer service while continuing to provide water of the highest quality.

If you have any questions regarding the flushing program, please call Ron Key, Water Distribution Supervisor, at 970-244-1572.

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Contact:  Sam Rainguet, Communications Manager   970-260-5431 or samr@gjcity.org

City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

City Annual Fire Hydrant Flushing Program

• Crews will begin flushing hydrants on Orchard Mesa April 24 working north towards Patterson Road
• Please drive with caution in areas where crews are working
• Minor street flooding may occur
• Anticipated completion – early May.

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Non-City of Grand Junction Projects with Travel Restrictions

Broadway and Redlands Parkway, Roundabout Construction – CDOT Project

• All directions of traffic will use the temporary roundabout configuration
• Traffic will be directed by use of barrels, signage and possibly flaggers
• Expect traffic stops with minimal delays
• There is an 9 foot width restriction 24/7 for the duration of project (no semi-trailers allowed)
• Be aware of the 35 MPH speed limit
• For additional information please visit codot.gov, www.cotrip.org or call 511
• Anticipated completion – November.

Rim Rock Drive (east hill closure for resurfacing) – Colorado National Monument Project

• Rim Rock Drive from Devils Kitchen Trailhead (near the east entrance) up to DS Road (Glade Park Road) is closed
• Use Little Park Road – this detour route will be well marked
• DS Road (Glade Park Road) will also be resurfaced. Pilot cars will escort motorists through the construction
• Phase 2 anticipated completion – early May (project has been extended by 11 days due to unforeseen circumstances)
• For additional information please visit http://www.nps.gov/colm  or call 970-858-3617, ext. 360.

I-70 Exit 49 Grand Mesa Ramp Improvement Project – CDOT Project

• Westbound I-70 right lane closure and 14’ width restriction 24/7 between MP 49.5 & MP 48
• Eastbound I-70: right lane closure and 14’ width restriction 24/7 between MP 48 & MP 49.5
• Motorists will still have access to Exit 49
• Westbound I-70 Exit 49 on ramp will have a 14’ width restriction 24/7
• Westbound Exit 49 on ramp please yield before merging onto I-70
• Westbound speed limit is 35 MPH
• Eastbound speed limit is 50 MPH
• Work hours will be 7am – 5pm, Monday – Friday
• Anticipated completion – late September
• For more information or to be added to the project update list call 970-456-1481 or email grandmesaexit49@gmail.com.
  

I-70 Bridge Maintenance Project Near DeBeque  – CDOT Project

• Both west and eastbound I-70 traffic will be moved to two-way traffic in the eastbound lanes of I-70, 24/7.
• Speed limit will be reduced to 45 MPH through the work zone
• Work hours will be 7am – 5pm, Monday – Friday
• Anticipated completion – October
• For more information, please visit http://www.cdot.gov/projects/i70-overflow-near-debeque.

21 ½ Road Utility Work between H Road and I Road – Private Development Project

• 21 ½ Road will be closed to thru traffic 24/7 between H Road and I Road
• Use 22 Road as the detour route
• All business and resident access will be maintained
• Anticipated completion – early May.

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Contact:  Sam Rainguet, Communications Manager   970-244-1507 or samr@gjcity.org

Last night, the City of Grand Junction honored and thanked its 125 board and commission members with a dinner celebration at Two Rivers Convention Center.

The City is represented by 19 boards and commissions whose members donate immeasurable amounts of time, effort and leadership toward the City’s mission.

Special recognition was provided by City Council for eight board and commission members whose terms ended in 2017 after having reached term limitation. Those individuals include:

Frank Watt, Riverfront Commission
Ebe Eslami, Planning Commission
Brad Taylor, Riverfront Commission
Shirley Nilsen, Forestry Board
Clifton Sprinkle, Riverfront Commission
Jon Schler, Historic Preservation Board
Lancer Livermont, Commission on Arts & Culture
Scott McBrayer, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Each of these individuals served for between five and nine years.

A photo album of the evening can be viewed at this link.

For more information on City boards and commissions, visit http://www.gjcity.org/city-government/city-clerk/volunteer-boards-and-commissions/.

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Contact:  Sam Rainguet, Communications Manager       970-244-1507 or samr@gjcity.org 

Once again, winds have closed the Mesa County Landfill and today’s Spring Clean-Up collection will not be possible. Spring Clean-Up crews will resume their routes tomorrow. City trash collection routes should be able to be completed today. In the event crews are unable to complete all trash collection routes today, they will be completed tomorrow.

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Contact:  Sam Rainguet, Communications Manager       970-244-1507 or samr@gjcity.org 

Some City of Grand Junction customers may not have their trash collected today because the Mesa County Landfill has been closed again due to wind. City crews will proceed through their regular Monday routes until their trucks are full. Any trash not collected today will be collected tomorrow.

Spring Clean-Up routes have also been stopped as a result of the closure. Crews will pick back up tomorrow where they ended today.

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Contact:  Sam Rainguet, Communications Manager       970-244-1507 or samr@gjcity.org 

For more detailed information on any of these items, read the full agendas and/or staff reports here:    http://grandjunctioncityco.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx

City Council will discuss the following items at this week’s workshop and meeting:

Monday, 4/16/18

THE WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELED

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Wednesday, 4/18/18 – 6:00 p.m.    City Council Meeting   City Hall Auditorium, 250 N. 5^th Street

Proclamations

Proclaiming the month of May and May 2, 2018 as Bike Month and Bike to Work Day in the City of Grand Junction

Proclaiming April 27, 2018 as Arbor Day in the City of Grand Junction

Regular Agenda

There are no regular agenda items.

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Contact:  Sam Rainguet, Communications Manager       970-244-1507 or samr@gjcity.org 

The City of Grand Junction has released the “2018 State of the City” in the form of a short video. Produced locally with Grand Junction’s Lightbulb Media, the video, featuring Mayor Rick Taggart and City Manager Greg Caton, touches on the current state of the City of Grand Junction while looking ahead to a few of the projects on the horizon.

Link to 2018 State of the City Video

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Contact:  Sam Rainguet, Communications Manager   970-244-1507 or samr@gjcity.org