This lasting legacy shows us that long-term investments in our community can last for generations. We are also at a crucial moment where we can make decisions that will shape the future. Like our forefathers, Mesa County leaders over the past 40 years have developed a comprehensive transportation plan to guide growth and ease congestion. Much progress has been made – new roads like Riverside Parkway and the improved 29 Road bridge to Orchard Mesa, expanded intersections and improved infrastructure have helped Grand Valley thrive. However, the final and crucial piece of this plan – the Route 29 interchange – remains unfinished.

Voting to complete the 29 Road interchange is more than the current needs. It’s about continuing the long-term infrastructure planning vision that will benefit our children and grandchildren. Just as our grandparents laid the foundation for a thriving community through hard work and foresight, we are now responsible for carrying that vision forward.

Completing the 29 Road interchange is crucial to reducing traffic on Patterson Road, which has become increasingly congested as our population grows. By investing in this project now, without raising taxes, we are ensuring our community is prepared for future growth, taking pressure off our roads and creating a more efficient transportation network. This $80 million investment ($40 million split between Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction) has already secured additional funding from Congressional support for the project. With this type of forward-thinking investment in the community, we are confident in securing additional infrastructure dollars to come in under budget and reduce costs even further. In Mesa County, we are no strangers to building on our shared vision and doing things to benefit our community, just as our grandparents’ investments continue to benefit us today.

In addition to easing traffic, the 29 Road project brings immediate benefits to our community. It will improve safety with dedicated pedestrian sidewalks, making it safer for people to walk and bike to schools, parks and businesses. The project will also provide better access to recreational spaces such as Matchett Park and support future developments on non-agricultural land. By making our roads safer and more efficient, we meet today’s needs and lay the foundation for future economic opportunities and an improved quality of life.

Road Interchange 29 and improvements, like the homes and infrastructure built by our grandparents, are long-term investments that will benefit future generations. Just as a home provides shelter and stability, and Mesa County’s canal system has supported farmers and families for over a century, this project will improve our community’s connectivity, improve traffic flow and support continued prosperity. By voting yes to complete it, we continue the legacy of building things that last, ensuring our children and grandchildren inherit a vibrant and thriving Mesa County. Let’s finish what past generations started and ensure a bright future for all.

Bobbie Daniel is a Mesa County Commissioner.