This has been bugging me for years: People drive so s-l-o-w-l-y from the Camino del Rio and 14th Street intersection northward. Maybe it’s because downtown’s speed limit is 25 mph. But head north from town, and you won’t see that it’s 35 mph until you reach Taco Bell, a mile up the highway at 29th Street. Why is there only one speed limit sign on north Main through town? Why not have one near the fish hatchery to keep things moving? – Stuck Behind Idiots Who Don’t Know How to Drive
That 35 mph sign is in front of Taco Bell might be there for health reasons.
It’s a not-so-subtle reminder that, no, you don’t need to stop for a 2 Chalupas Supreme® Combo and a large Mtn Dew® Baja Blast™ Freeze.
If that were the case, the speed limit should be increased to 85 mph – to protect peckish commuters from a certain bout of drive-thru dyspepsia.
But speed limits signs are not dished out by nutritionists. Rather, they’re served up by the Colorado Department of Transportation.
So naturally, we called upon our good friend Lisa Schwantes, CDOT spokes-chef, to see what’s cooking.
Here’s the news hot off the press.
CDOT engineers checked out the north Main speed-limit sign situation and agreed that southbound and northbound lanes “could really use a couple more 35 mph signs,” Lisa said.
The signs will be put up in the near future on existing poles, she added. “It will help eliminate some confusion.”
North Main gets some heavy traffic from local side streets, where it’s 25 mph, Lisa point out.
Moreover, as per the city’s request, there are signs on the outskirts of town stating that Durango’s speed limit is 25 mph “unless otherwise posted.”
The new signs will cover that “otherwise posted” part.
That being said, CDOT has some concerns. Namely, “we can become inundated with signs,” Lisa said. “If you have too many signs, they stop being noticed because drivers tune them out.”
The other issue is speed creep. And no, speed creep is not Harvey Weinstein on amphetamines.
Whenever there’s a posted speed limit, there’s a tendency for people to drive above it.
“As one of our engineers said, ‘It’s totally not cool to go 40 through town, including north Main,’ ” Lisa said.
So you can pick up the pace just a bit. But take some time to smell the roses along the way.
Or the Nacho Cheese Doritos® Locos Tacos Supreme®.
Just remember, the fastest your fast food can go is 35 mph.
Meanwhile, others would fast rather than snarf a Cheesy Gordita.
The curious case of the missing bear statues has been solved.
A couple of weeks ago, a loyal reader wanted to know what happened to the seemingly amorous chain saw bruins that once graced the Tacoma Vista townhomes entrance at Purgatory Resort.
Action Line’s extensive network of moles, snitches and informants comes through again!
Sources said that the bears were rescued from a dubious date with a dumpster. The pair is now positioned at an undisclosed private location north of town.
“They were really heavy and really big,” said the conservator of erstwhile errant ursine, adding that when you salvage stout statuary, you have to grin and bear it.
Email questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You can request anonymity if you can recall the name of the Taco Bell dog from the late 1990s commercials.
