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Lack of Crosswalk at Amtrak Station Raises Concerns

by KREX News Room
by Danielle Kreutter

Story Created: Nov 9, 2012 at 8:50 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 12, 2012 at 9:39 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- Nearly 30,000 people a year take the Amtrak train as it goes through Grand Junction, but some of those who are visiting may have trouble finding their way out of the station.

"Downtown Grand Junction has so much to offer, and travelers who come by Amtrak get off here and really have very limited access to downtown," said Paul Brown, former chairman of the Save the Depot committee.

A stone wall lines the station's parking lot, with only one opening that leads straight into traffic going roughly 35 mph around a blind turn.

The nearest crosswalk options would take travelers at least two blocks in each direction, one at Fourth Street and Pitkin Avenue and one at Main Street and 1st Street (I-70B); some travelers take the challenge and dodge vehicles to get a more direct route toward the hotels downtown.

Grand Junction City Council member Bennett Boeschenstein has been fighting for a crosswalk outside of the Amtrak station for the last five years. He says it's not just inconvenient for travelers, it's plain dangerous.

"We've had people from the hotels and Main Street really complain about the fact that we don't have a crosswalk here; we've had people that have almost been killed trying to cross here ... we need to do it," Boeschenstein said.

He and other supporters of the crosswalk have been left wondering what has taken so long to make the change.

Since the road is an extension of I-70B, a state highway, city officials have to work with the Colorado Department of Transportation.

"[CDOT is] trying to move traffic safely and effectively, and when you integrate pedestrians with that, you have to be careful on how that's done," said Tim Moore, deputy city manager.

Planners say combining a crosswalk with parts of a highway is very complex.

"It's higher speeds; they can't really see the pedestrian. Pedestrians don't really have as much sight distance as they need for safety, so to simply just install a crosswalk isn't a very good option," said Moore.

He said a crosswalk with flashing lights that is built in conjunction with other traffic signals may be the best choice, although that can cost up to $100,000.

"As far as the downtown business goes and the city of Grand Junction, I think it will pay for itself many times over," said Brown.

Moore also told NewsChannel 5 that CDOT is currently working on a larger project that includes the area where the Amtrak station is; they hope as designs are made in the next few months that a crosswalk is included.

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james said on Friday, Nov 9 at 11:42 PM

how about an overhead walkway or skyway to bring pedestrians up and above the buildings to look around the city...?? we need to get people above the streets so they can look around the beautiful valley.

Rufus said on Saturday, Nov 10 at 10:30 AM

"As far as the downtown business goes and the city of Grand Junction, I think it will pay for itself many times over," said Brown. Many times over? I doubt it. It might pay for itself a couple times over, but only for those within walking distance. Let THEM pay for it instead of the taxpayers.

Anonymous said on Saturday, Nov 10 at 11:58 AM

yawn.

Bob said on Saturday, Nov 10 at 1:52 PM

How many people REALLY get off the train and walk to the Downtown Area? I would venture to guess very few. I mean I know if I plan a trip, I have my Hotel set up, and if I don't have a Rental Car, I have the Hotel Shuttle set up to pick me up. Travelers are NOT as stupid as this article would make one believe. This would be a complete waste of money and time. They are worried about a Cross Walk, when they should be worried about the disgusting Railroad Station we have, if they want to make a good impression they should clean and update that nasty place. The first thig it says now is; "Welcome to Grand Junction, sure we spell Junk wrong, but this building shows how the reast of our Downtown really looks".

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