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Durangoans envision future transit, sidewalk options

City expects draft multimodal master plan will be ready in October
Vincent LaDue watches a Durango Transit Trolley approach that he will ride to his home after visiting the Southwest Center for Independence on north Main Avenue in March. Those who want to see many forms of transportation improved in Durango are focused on accessibility and transit, among other issues.

Crosswalks, trails, bike lanes, expanded bus service and parking garages are just a small slice of the items Durangoans have on their wish list.

The city is compiling all these ideas as part of an update to the 2012 Multimodal Transportation Master Plan. This plan update will guide the city’s construction priorities and how some of the 2015 half-cent sales tax will be spent.

“If we don’t know what the needs are, we can’t hope to serve them,” said Amber Blake, director of transportation and sustainability.

The city had 200 people comment on the plan as of last week, and they focused on safety, accessibility, connectivity of sidewalks and trails and public transportation, Blake said. About two-thirds of the comments focused on biking and walking, according to city data.

At every meeting, residents have requested safer crossings along Camino del Rio and north Main Avenue, she said.

There is also strong interest in parking structures that would serve north Main Avenue as it redevelops.

The city is fielding many requests for extending city bus service outside the city limits. The common destinations included the Durango-La Plata County Airport, Hermosa and Hesperus, Blake said.

Those projects along highways or outside city limits will be submitted to the Colorado Department of Transportation or La Plata County.

“If we’re able to run a process where we can share information, it’s helpful for the community,” she said.

Next year, the Multimodal Advisory Board will use the plan to prioritize construction projects in the 5-year strategic plan.

There is still time to submit ideas for the plan. A draft of the plan may be ready in October. The city is seeking feedback through an online survey through July 11 and plans to hold at least three more public meetings before presenting the draft.

mshinn@durangoherald.com

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Three meetings on the Multimodal Transportation Master Plan will be held in the coming months:

5 to 7 p.m. July 25 at the Transit Center, 250 West 8th St.

6:45 to 8 p.m. Aug. 22 at Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.

5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio.

To take the city’s survey focused on transportation, visit http://www.durangogov.org/virtualcityhall

Oct 10, 2016
Durango’s Multimodal transportation plan unveiled


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