The Riverfront Trail along the Redlands Parkway is reopening with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. near the Junior Service League Park on Redlands Parkway.
Reconstruction in 2023 focused on 1.1 miles of trail that was designed to improve the surface for riders, walkers, and other users of the trail system. This is the second year of the city’s effort to transform aging asphalt into a smooth surface using concrete. In 2024, reconstruction will continue south of the Redlands Parkway bridge to the Redlands Roundabout and then replacement planned for the 30 year-old trails along S. Camp Road.
“The Riverfront Trail is an important commuter route for those coming from the Redlands and Fruita providing a scenic journey along the Colorado River,” stated Trent Prall, Engineering and Transportation director. “We are very excited about the improvements we have completed and look forward to continuing to connect our trail users via this new smoother ride.”
The Grand Junction area’s trail system is a key asset to both residents and tourists providing bicycle and pedestrian routes through and around the community. The city had more than 9.2 miles of asphalt trails that were more than 25-years-old and in various states of disrepair. One of the biggest concerns for cyclists is the separations that have resulted from shrinkage of the asphalt over the years. This has made for rough riding on many sections of the trails. The city is planning to replace the remaining 7.3 miles of asphalt segments with long lasting concrete over the next three years. Where feasible, the trails will also be widened from 8 feet to 10 feet to better accommodate bikes with trailers as well as recumbent trikes.
Other trail sections identified for replacement with concrete include the Ridges, the South Rim and Bluffs trail accesses to Connected Lakes State Park, and Las Colonias Park to Eagle Rim Park Trail.