A $24.2 million federal grant will fund construction of a mobility hub in Grand Junction as well as similar facilities in Rifle and Glenwood Springs.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the grant, one of three worth a total of $45.8 million awarded to Colorado projects. Other grants will fund projects in Alamosa and Pueblo.

The grants were awarded through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program. The funds are part of $1.5 billion in grants included in a bipartisan infrastructure law.

“We are excited to use this federal support to expand transit options in Grand Junction, Rifle and Glenwood Springs; update the Alamosa pedestrian connection; fix the roundabout in Pueblo; and provide real results to Coloradans to reduce traffic and improve convenience,” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat from Colorado, said the infrastructure law constitutes the biggest investment in roads, bridges and transportation in the United States since the Eisenhower administration. 

“Now the law is delivering $46 million in federal funding to support Colorado projects that will connect communities, reduce congestion and strengthen local economies,” Bennet said. “I urged the Department of Transportation to support these worthy projects across our state, and I look forward to welcoming additional investment in Colorado infrastructure from this historic legislation in the years ahead.”

Dana Brosig, director of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, said the grant constitutes the next step in making a Grand Junction mobility hub a reality.

The Westward Three Project will include mobility hubs in Grand Junction, Rifle and Glenwood Springs. In Grand Junction, the project will include bicycle, pedestrian and parking improvements in addition to improvements to the Interstate 70 Business Loop.

The Rifle component will expand and relocate a park-and-ride facility. The Glenwood Springs component will redevelop a park-and-ride facility into a transit center while also creating a bicycle and pedestrian underpass.

“This is a huge win for our work force, pedestrians, bicyclists and the city’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Glenwood Springs Mayor Jonathan Godes.