The proposed Animas River Trail crossing bridge is based on a 2011 state regulatory ruling that an at-grade crossing is unsafe and a city staff decision to go over rather than under the 32nd Street bridge.
I challenge both.
There are 209,000 at-grade railroad crossings nationally, only one-third protected by flashing lights or gates. The clear site distance is excellent in this area and trains travel at only 5 mph in this area. An at-level rail crossing with flashing lights is more than adequate for safety.
The 9th Street railroad crossing is much more dangerous, with limited sight distance and distracting visual clutter.
City staff has ignored the visual intrusion an elevated trail crossing would do. The sketch of the proposed bridge design resulted in citizens opposing it. Also, there is strong opposition to spend $4.1 million on any ART bridge.
The only reason this bridge is being advanced is because of divided votes on both the Parks and Recreation board to go forward with this project and a letter of support from the Multimodal Advisory Board.
All the citizens expressing disapproval in the Herald poll and the divided votes on city boards clearly show the need for City Council to put a hold on this project and either consider an ART crossing under the bridge, which will be much cheaper, or better, scrap the whole idea.
John VinerDurango
