Rifle receives grants from DOLA, FMLD for construction projects
The city of Rifle was awarded two grants pursuant to upcoming projects from the Garfield County Federal Mineral Lease District (FMLD) and the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), according to a city news release.
The FMLD awarded the city $400,000 through its traditional grant program to support the Whiteriver Avenue Improvement Project, which spans from Ninth Street to 16th Street.
The project includes roadway paving, sidewalk reconstruction with accessibility and pedestrian crossing upgrades, water main replacement and bank stabilization throughout the corridor.
About 1,300 people live along Whiteriver Avenue and are expected to benefit from the project, which has been included in the city’s Capital and Maintenance Plan since 2020. The project design is complete, and was officially awarded during the Rifle City Council meeting on May 20.
“This project will increase the reliability of the waterline and roadway along this portion of Whiteriver Avenue,” City Engineer Craig Spaulding said in the release.
The DOLA grant provides $500,000 through the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund program to support the South Sewer Lift Station Replacement Project.
The project includes a new wet wall, providing 38,000 gallons of equalization capacity and 44,000 gallons of emergency storage.
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The project will also replace the existing pump house with a new package lift station equipped with upgraded pumps, automatic controls and a prefabricated building.
The existing station was constructed in 2003 and currently has a 9,000-gallon wet wall capacity, limiting emergency storage capabilities, and also serves all areas of Rifle. With the anticipated continued growth of Rifle, the replacement station and upgraded pumps have been designed to accommodate the area’s projected 20-year buildout.
“The city is grateful to DOLA and the EIAF program for awarding this funding to Rifle,” said utilities director, Jared Emmert. “This partnership allows us to complete essential city projects for the citizens of Rifle and supports a more resilient community.”
The South Sewer Lift Station project is out to bid and both projects are intended to be complete during the 2026 construction season.
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