Commissioners approve $4.6 million contract for second phase of 32 ½ Road project

Major roadway improvements and safety upgrades are coming to 32 ½ Road in Clifton. At the Sept. 15 public hearing, commissioners approved a $4.6 million contract for construction of Phase II of the 32 ½ Road improvement project.

This will enhance traffic safety, pedestrian mobility and stormwater management along 32 ½ Road from the north side of the Grand Valley Canal to Front Street in Clifton. Work will start in late September or early October. The project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2027.

The project was advertised for competitive bidding on July 5. A public bid opening was held on Aug. 11, and it received competitive responses from seven contractors. Following a thorough review of the submittals, Mountain Valley Contracting, Inc. was determined to be the most qualified, lowest bidder.

The roadway will be completely rebuilt and widened. Sidewalks with accessible curb ramps will be added, and better drainage infrastructure will help with stormwater management. 

Because of the high number of broadside crashes at the intersection of 32 ½ Road and E ½ Road, a roundabout will be put in as part of this project. Roundabouts have been shown to reduce crash rates by 70% and fatal and injury crashes by more than 80% compared to the existing two-way stop configuration of the intersection.

Previous work on 32 ½ Road included replacing the bridge over the Grand Valley Canal and connecting the roadway south of E Road, where it previously didn’t go all the way through.

These safety and infrastructure improvements are currently one of the largest road construction projects for Mesa County.