It appears this is the year of big construction projects. The City of Grand Junction lists a total of fourteen different road construction plans that began early May and were estimated to be completed by late August. And that number doesn’t even include the projects in the other cities in the Grand Valley!

As you probably realized, quite a few of these projects have yet to be completed. It is definitely putting a hitch in many people’s daily commutes. Personally, I must drive through three-to-four construction zones and three school zones on my way to school right now. I have to meticulously plan when to leave my house so I just miss the construction zone during the busy times and make it past the school zone before it goes into effect.

I completely understand that this project is going to be beneficial to the valley and that we will all enjoy the lack of potholes and sufficient crosswalks by the end, but the period in-between is pretty brutal.

Megan Lawson | The Criterion

My normal 20 minute drive is now taking me 30-40. This wouldn’t be such a bad deal if it weren’t for the fact that as an involved college student, my time is already spread thin. The extra 30 minutes I now spend commuting each day could be used to study, work on a homework assignment, or visit the TLC!

These projects are causing difficulties. Every day it seems like the temporary lanes have changed and you have to figure out the new traffic patterns.

Most recently construction on 7th Ave has moved to the east lane, blocking the commuter parking lot entrance on that street. This has inconvenienced the hundred-or-so people who utilize that lot.

I know that I’ll appreciate all the hard work that went into these projects – but I can’t just quite yet. I just hope these projects will wrap up soon!