Road construction barrels along road work in North Fruita Desert Special Recreation Management Area

18 Road Reconstruction, Paving Project

OVERVIEW: BLM and Mesa County are working with the Federal Highway Administration on a project to reconstruct and pave about six miles of 18 Road to improve public safety and access to BLM-administered lands that are popular for mountain biking and OHV recreation activities.

The completed project will provide a 30-foot paved road with two 10-foot lanes for vehicle traffic, and two 5-foot bike lanes.

Federal Highway Administration, funded through the Federal Lands Access Program, is leading the 18 Road Project construction work. Project managers expect to complete the work in late fall of 2025.

To sign up for updates on the project please email MesaCounty18Rdproject@gmail.com or call the project hotline 970-892-1834. BLM will also provide project updates on this web page.

 

 

Project Updates

Concrete trucks pouring footers and wing walls at a box culvert location
Concrete trucks pour footers and wing walls at the first box culvert location as part of the 18 Road reconstruction project. According to Matt Schmitt, project manager, concrete wingwalls direct the flow of water into the culvert to prevent soil erosion and protect the embankment around them. The wingwalls sit on concrete footers that anchor them to the ground for support. (Courtesy photo)

 

Posted Feb. 13, 2025:

Attention Cyclists: For your safety and the safety of construction personnel, cyclists must obey the same traffic management rules as other vehicles. This includes lane closures and pilot car escorts. Thank you for your patience during this ongoing project to improve access to your public lands.

  • Feb. 14-17: Crews will halt project work for the holiday weekend beginning at noon Feb. 14. Traffic through the work zone will return to two lanes in each direction.
  • Feb. 18-21: Crews will resume work at 6 a.m. Feb. 18 and implement one-lane alternating traffic with a pilot car operation through the work zone -- please drive slowly. 
  • The project team continues with embankment excavation throughout the project limits.
  • Crews are constructing concrete wing walls and footers on the first box culvert.