Compliments to Councilors Dean Brookie, Chris Bettin and Mayor Melissa Youssef for protecting pedestrians with funding the bridges across the river behind north City Market and the overpass at the tracks on 32nd Street, which is the second busiest street in Durango.
Since 2011, public safety has been a priority for three different city councils in connecting the Animas River Trail. Superintendent Dan Snowberger, the Needham Elementary PTO and the Riverview Elementary PTO asked City Council to protect the children by funding the bridges and finishing the trail connection. No child will come in contact with cars because of the safety of the bridges.
The blinking yellow light used by pedestrians is often ignored by drivers at 32nd Street. The increased volume of bikes, families and children going north cannot be ignored. The existing sidewalk on the old bridge across the river is not sufficient to carry the new volume going north.
The Parks and Recreation Board and the Multi Modal Board support the funding of the bridges for pedestrian safety. There is money in the budget plus a grant of $1.3 million for the trail.
All projects costs money, but how much is a child’s life worth? Priceless is my answer as a grandparent.
Sweetie MarburyDurango
