GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – Controversy over the 4th and 5th Street Pilot Project is still raging months after completion.

City Council Member Cody Kennedy wrote a second blog post called, “Still Looking for the ‘Why’ in Redesigning 4th and 5th Streets.”

He blogged about limiting traffic and accident data. Kennedy said he disagreed only on the data. He believes this method ignores the voice of the community.

“Relying only on traffic figures and crash reports ignores the realities of everyday interactions on our streets,” he said. Kennedy gave the example, “the data will not show how a bicyclist was almost hit by a motor vehicle making a right turn on 4th Street onto Rood when the bicyclist suddenly appeared from behind a parked car.”

He also addressed potential safety concerns for commercial drivers and emergency vehicles. He said emergency personnel expressed concern that the streets were too narrow for fire trucks and ambulances to get through safely.

“When citizens don’t have room to stop and yield to emergency vehicles, response times increase, putting lives at risk,” Kennedy said. “Emergency vehicles with lights and sirens need enough space to pass, especially during rush hour.”

He also mentions concerns expressed by local business owners. Some of the business owners feel that the redesign has eliminated more parking than it has added. They also consider the new parking lot to be a safety risk.

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

“I urge my fellow council members and city staff to rethink this project, focusing on balanced, practical and affordable solutions that truly serve Grand Junction’s best interests,” Kennedy said.

On the other side of the table, City of Grand Junction shut down a press release in September said the project increases safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The September news release said the design was the result of feedback provided in the 2022 4th and 5th Street Feasibility Study, with additional input from businesses and residents in 2023.

“Community feedback led to adjustments that widened travel lanes, improved corner visibility and increased available parking. The project has been successful in reducing vehicle speeds, which in turn increases the safety of those traveling downtown, whether by car, bicycle or foot,” Director of Engineering and Transportation Trent Prall said in September. “This pilot phase continues to allow community members to experience the corridors and provide feedback to the city.”

Community members launched a petition to “undo the 4th and 5th street disaster.” The petition was started three weeks ago and has over 1,000 digital signatures.

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