The sidewalk along Narrow Gauge Avenue will be able to accommodate a wheelchair or two people walking together after a project that’s slated to start this week.
“Right now, if you were in a wheelchair and you wanted to go down Narrow Gauge, you would have to ride your wheelchair in the street,” Assistant City Manager Amber Blake said.
As part of the project, the parking meters in the sidewalk will be moved to free up sidewalk space, and a fence from recycled drilling rig pipe and retired train track will be installed behind the sidewalk.
The fence is meant to celebrate the city’s heritage and encourage pedestrians to cross at street intersections, she said.
BP America donated the pipe and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad donated the train track for the project, she said.
Construction will start on the north end of Narrow Gauge near 12th Street and is scheduled to wrap up on May 12. The city plans to spend $68,240 on the project, she said.
Parking spaces along Narrow Gauge Avenue will be periodically closed to allow for construction work and equipment. It is expected that no more than two blocks will be closed at any one time, a news release said.
Access to businesses and residents along Narrow Gauge Avenue should not be impacted. Trash and recycling service will remain on its standard schedule.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
