I believe in 1993 I attended a Chamber meeting where the paving of Main was discussed. One individual, Bill Carver, indicated his vision of what was possible if we took steps to plan far into the future. He pointed out paving Main to include parking and two lanes each way was shortsighted. Bill went on that unless downtown and Camino del Rio be addressed in its entirety and visualized 50 to 100 years in the future, Durango would constantly be addressing traffic on Main and Camino del Rio.
Bill related his vision, Camino del Rio be rerouted to the west side of the river to just north of the Powerhouse. A new intersection for Florida Road being brought down 15th Street to join at Main and continue over the Animas River on the relocated Camino del Rio. This would avoid East Third becoming a major traffic artery. Bill painted the picture of the entire area from Main to the Animas River becoming a revitalized downtown area with the Town Plaza being replaced with tourist friendly restaurants, galleries, theater, parking garage and public space. Wow.
Each rework of Camino del Rio makes me recall the vision laid out 40 years ago. With the new traffic islands, underpass for pedestrians and traffic signals, we once again failed to think and plan far enough into the future. Our city, state and federal individuals responsible for roads have now patched together their new vision of traffic in Durango. Long live Camino del Rio “Frogger” improvement committee.
Jim Duresky
Durango
