Colorado Department of Transportation crews and contractors have finished upgrading traffic signals at almost 20 locations in Durango and are close to completing improvements to multiple intersections on two other projects.
Community members met this week at Fassbinder Park, where they heard updates on two projects CDOT has been working on that are part of the city of Durango’s multi-modal plan and one that is not outlined in the plan but fits with the vision of the plan.
The vision is to create a “fully-connected transportation network that provides for an outstanding transit, bicycling and walking community in Durango.” When that vision is achieved, a seventh grade child will be able to commute around town safely. The projects span town on U.S. Highway 550, U.S. Highway 160 and Colorado Highway 3 with improvements being made to intersections to comply with regulations, improve safety and improve all modes of transportation around town.
Sidny Zink, a commissioner on the transportation commission since 2013, said the projects went “pretty” seamless despite severe winter weather the region saw.
CDOT has installed yellow plates on close to 20 traffic signal locations in the Durango area. The project focused on improving safety, communication and signal detection along Highways 160, 550 and Colorado Highway 3. The highway department replaced signal heads, installed new cameras at three intersections and added signage. The yellow plates, which cost about $126 apiece, can reduce crashes up to 50% during certain times of the day. The project had been budgeted at $1.2 million but ended up costing about $1.4 million by the time of completion on May 24.
CDOT has been working to update sidewalk curb ramps at 10 locations on highways 160 and 550 to comply with regulations outlined in the Americans With Disabilities Act. Crews are finishing installing 19 ADA-compliant ramps to existing ramps and to areas where no ramps existed before.
The work being done is part of a larger statewide initiative to comply with ADA regulations to accommodate all pedestrians. It was considered a long, overdue improvement because at some intersections there were no ramps at all, said Kevin Curry, a program engineer with CDOT.
CDOT coordinated with the city while working on the project to be in-line with the vision they have for the north Main Avenue corridor plan.
“The ramps are in conjunction with the signal project to provide a consistent pedestrian access,” Curry said.
It was an emerging small business project, which allows local contractors to bid on projects on a smaller scale, generally projects under $1 million. Crews started the project in March 2019 with a scheduled date for completion in July 2019. As of this week, only three intersections had yet to be completed, Curry said.
Drivers may have noticed three intersections receiving an update along north Main Avenue, including at 17th, 22nd and 32nd streets. CDOT scheduled the project to be complete by Memorial Day 2019, but crews have to complete pavement markings and some concrete work. Jennifer Allison, a resident engineer with CDOT, said the project should be completed by June 23.
bmandille@durangoherald.com
