19 Rd. Improvements Project - 2024

The City of Fruita is planning utility and roadway improvements along 19 Rd. from Highway 6&50 north to J.2 Rd.  The improvements are expected to begin after the irrigation season in early November and last until summer 2025. Improvements are expected to consist of the following:

• Sanitary sewer installation from the canal north to J.2 Rd.
• Storm drain installation from the canal north to J.2 Rd.
• Irrigation line and structure improvements at J Rd. and J.2 Rd., including the replacement of the line along the west edge of 19 Rd. from J Rd. south to Iron Drive
• Road widening
• Pedestrian path installation

View road changes and new/upgraded utilities with this interactive project map.

Right-of-Way Surveying

During the weeks of February 12 and February 19, residents can expect to see surveyors (trucks and survey signs) working along 19 Road as part of the right-of-way acquisition for the 19 Road construction project. The surveyors will work from Highway 6&50 to J 2/10 Road. There should be limited to no traffic impacts for this work.  

Current Project Schedule

• Construction bid process opens in early May.

• Award project by the end of May. 

• Work associated with the project will begin in early fall. You can expect slowdowns and traffic control. Please check back for more updates on specific street closures. 

• Construction (utility work and road work) will start after irrigation water is shut off for the season (early to mid-November) and is expected to last until early to mid-summer 2025. 

Schedule/Construction Goal

To minimize the duration of the overall project, to cause as little impact to irrigation users as possible, and to try to time the improvements to start during school holiday breaks to help reduce the impact on school traffic.

Questions?

If you have questions, please email us at communications@fruita.org or give us a call at 970-858-3663.

Project Management Contacts:

• Email Steve Martinez (Roadway Design)
• Email Chris Dehmel (Utility Design)
• Email Sam Atkins (City Engineer)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will irrigation be turned off during construction? - There will be road work after the beginning of the 2025 irrigation season, but all underground work should be completed by then. There will be no impact to irrigation delivery unless underground work lasts longer than expected or an emergency occurs during road construction. 

• What will 19 Road look like when it is finished? - 19 Road will be widened to accommodate one north and one southbound lane as well as an extra wide center line.  The full width will also include four-foot shoulders on each side and a pedestrian/bike path. In addition to this, there will be some widening on J Rd. west of 19 Rd. to allow for the new turn lanes onto 19 Rd.

• How long will this project last? - We expect the project to begin in November of 2024 and to last approximately 6-8 months. 

• What about private right-of-ways? - All property that is needed for this project will be purchased from the current owner through negotiations with a land acquisition firm that is under contract with the city.   

• Is there a plan to make 19 Road safer for pedestrians and cyclists? - We are installing a path separated from the road as a safe option for pedestrians and cyclists.  This path is planned to extend from Highway 6 & 50 to the intersection at 19 & J.2  

• Why do I see construction on 19 Road now when the project doesn’t start until November? - You might see intermittent construction along 19 Road. This construction is related to the subdivision work happening in this area. See development projects at fruita.org/projects.