The city of Durango will begin construction on the section of the Animas River Trail running between Rank and Memorial parks at the beginning of June.
The project will be spearheaded by the Durango Parks and Recreation Department and last from June 1 into 2027, according to a Tuesday news release. The project is being payed for through a voter-approved half-cent sales tax implemented in 2015.
The project will replace the current asphalt trail surface with a 10-foot-wide concrete path, install new lighting along the trail, place new landscape features and improve a spur trail connecting the ART to Rio Vista Circle.
Additionally, the Demon Bridge will be replaced with a new, wider bridge.
Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Rachel Hart said in an email to residents neighboring the planned construction project the city will try to keep the bridge open during the construction, apart from the actual replacement of the bridge.
“During construction, the city intends to maintain bridge access for as long as possible,” Hart said. “However, temporary detours will be necessary during abutment work, installation of the new bridge and removal of the existing structure.”
Temporary detours will be necessary during parts of the construction, such as the replacement of Demon Bridge, Hart said.
“Detour routes may shift periodically depending on construction activities,” the release said. “Signage and directional arrows will guide pedestrians and cyclists through the area.”
The detours would likely involve longer travel distances and possibly road crossings, Hart said.
“Detour routes may shift periodically depending on construction activity,” Hart said. “Pedestrians and cyclists will be directed to follow clearly marked detour signage and directional arrows. Please note that detours may involve longer travel distances and roadway crossings.”
Residents were asked to obey signage directing traffic through the construction zone. Additionally, the soft-surface Rea Trail, which runs alongside the Animas River between Riverview Drive and Rio Vista Circle, will remain open.
The release said the project will enhance the trail’s usability, safety and overall experience of the trail.
City spokesman Tom Sluis said the project has no set end date at this point in time because similar improvement projects the city has undertaken on the Animas River Trail have run into unexpected problems that have delayed finishing. Keeping the end date flexible allows the deal with any issue that may arise without creating undue stress.
“The completion date is estimated because there are always unforeseen events during a project like this,” Sluis said in a text to The Durango Herald. “Our goal is to be as flexible as possible so we can deal with these unknowns as they arise, and not face any unnecessary delays.”
As the project goes forward, Sluis said, the city will be have a better idea of when the exact completion date will be.
To stay updated on construction and detour information, more information will be available on the project’s website, engage.durangoco.gov/animas-river-trail-improvements.
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
