Silver Hard Hat Award

Outstanding Heavy/Highway Project

SEMA Construction Inc. helped the fast-growing city of Grand Junction navigate brisk growth in tourism and population by completing all three phases of the Riverside Parkway, which now provides an attractive alternate route through Grand Junction’s lower downtown.

This project was designed to reduce unacceptable levels of congestion and improve safety and mobility for all modes of travel. With its wide roads, new bridges and bike lanes and sidewalks, Riverside Parkway has evolved into a true gateway for the city.

While still in the process of completing phase 1, SEMA competitively bid on phase 2 of Riverside Parkway in 2006, which included roadway and pedestrian bridge construction on River Road from 24 Road to 4th Street. Six months into construction on phase 2, SEMA was approached by the city of Grand Junction and asked to negotiate phase 3 into the project as a $22.5-million change order.

Phase 3 included the U.S. 50 interchange and several bridges over the railroad, river and U.S. 50. This strategy locked in rising construction costs and assured the city of a final project budget—saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Part of the deal, however, included SEMA completing phase 3 alongside phase 2 without extending the schedule.  Ultimately, the project duration was even shortened by one full year.

The project’s aggressive schedule and successful completion arose from the teamwork of the city, engineers, general public and construction personnel working together in an urban construction environment.

Riverside Parkway Phases 2 & 3
Grand Junction

Bronze Hard Hat Award

Outstanding Heavy/Highway Project

In an effort by Jefferson County and the city of Lakewood to provide regional access to the historic Rooney Ranch district, while limiting the effects of increased traffic along the hogback and Dinosaur Ridge, the regional transportation facilities at C-470 and Alameda were updated.

The planning for the interchange began in 1990, and over the past few decades, environmental assessment and feasibility studies were conducted and updated with the goal that the interchange would be ready to move forward when development began in the Rooney Valley.

In 2005, Carma began preparations to develop a large master-planned community in the Rooney Valley, which spurred interest in putting together the financial resources to provide for the interchange.

The Green Tree Metropolitan District was formed to provide regional transportation improvements in the Rooney Valley. The county and the city of Lakewood then partnered with the Metro District and Carma to provide $23 million to update the environmental design and construct the interchange within two years.

The project was not eligible for state or federal funding.

The bridge was widened from two to five lanes with multiple-lane ramps. Design of the entry monuments and bridge included landscaping, stone bridge elements, ornamental fencing and lighting, along with an enhanced design of the retaining walls.

C-470/Alameda Interchange
Lakewood

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