Beginning Oct. 17, the City of Grand Junction will begin adding three new medians and another flashing crosswalk along 12th Street.
The medians will be located on 12th Street between Mesa and Texas Avenue, Texas and Elm Avenue, and Elm and Kennedy Avenue to help curb accidents and some bad traffic habits seen in the past.
The solar-powered, flashing crosswalk will be located at the south side of Mesa Avenue to help with traffic across from Albertsons.
According to a press release from the City of Grand Junction, the intent is to encourage CMU students to use the crosswalk rather than jaywalking.
University administrators, student leaders and city officials announced the additions at a press conference on Thursday.
“CMU is Colorado’s fastest growing university, and we are very lucky to have the relationship that we do with the City of Grand Junction,” President Tim Foster said. “Especially since the City is funding the whole project to hopefully help increase student safety.”
According to the press release, due to the heavy traffic on 12th Street during the day, construction will take place between 6:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. The construction is expected to be completed by mid-December.
“[This] university is a solid community engine for our economy,” Grand Junction City Manager Laurie Kadrich said. “As such, we need to look at the infrastructure of it, which means we should be working towards safe movement for traffic and students.”

asuttond@mavs.coloradomesa.edu