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Ignacio first in-town traffic light up and running

First for town, third for area
Manuel Carmenoros and Juanita Velasquez make their way across Ignacio’s busiest intersection with the assistance of the new stoplights at the rebuilt intersection of Colorado highways 151 and 172 in Ignacio on Friday.

The intersection of Colorado highways 172 and 151 in Ignacio is safer now that a traffic light and sidewalks are finished.

This is the first light within the town’s limits and the third light near town, said Mark Garcia, interim town manager.

When oil and gas fields were busy, the intersection tended to be packed with heavy equipment, Garcia said.

“It was a big bottleneck,” he said.

It also is hazardous in summer, and traffic could get backed up all the way through town, said La Plata County Commissioner Julie Westendorff.

“Anybody who’s driven a horse trailer or a boat trailer through Igancio knows exactly what I’m talking about,” she said.

In addition to improving traffic flow, pedestrian safety is augmented.

“The pedestrian crossings are lit now, and that will add a really nice safety component,” Garcia said.

The light went operational Thursday, a week ahead of schedule, even though rain delayed electrical inspections, said Lisa Schwantes, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation.

“We appreciate the cooperation and patience from Ignacio residents and know the improvements will relieve traffic congestion, making this a safer intersection for motorists and pedestrians,” Mike Coggins, a CDOT engineer, said in a statement.

The $1.6 million intersection required joint funding. The town of Ignacio contributed $9,333 in funds and in-kind services. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe contributed $168,004. La Plata County paid $168,004, and CDOT is paying for the rest.

It is the first jointly funded project to come out of the Ignacio Area Corridor Access Plan, which was signed in 2012 after six years of meetings. This plan ensures that as money becomes available traffic improvements can get done because all of the governing agencies have already signed off on them,

The planning effort was started by the tribe, and it outlines how the community wants the corridor along Colorado Highway 172 to grow.

mshinn@durangoherald.com



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