I would like to extend my sympathies to everyone involved in the fatal crash on U.S. Highway 550 south on Dec. 11.
I have lived in La Plata County for more than 30 years and on U.S. Highway 550 south for 27. I find it inexcusable that our highway has remained a narrow two-lane road with no shoulders, no wildlife crossings and a speed limit too high for these conditions.
I invite any county commissioner to stand on our driveway for five minutes and observe the traffic. We need advocacy for U.S. Highway 550 south.
Nonstop, high rate of speed, deer and elk crossing, excessive semi’s and trash-hauling vehicles that Highway 550 north never sees.
How many more people have to die? I realize we are in a competition for state and federal money for this project, but as I sit back and watch the improvements to 550 north at Purgatory and the improvements to Highway 160 east toward Bayfield I can’t help but wonder when it will be our turn. A piecemeal solution helps no one who drives this highway to and from New Mexico. This is an interstate highway that needs attention now! No more people should die, no more wildlife-caused injuries or death, no more first responders dealing with the neglect of our own Colorado Department of Transportation.
I’m sick of it – three memorials in front of our place for the over six individuals who have died in front of our driveway. Do something, CDOT, now!
Mimi Thurston
Durango
