Main Avenue in downtown Durango looks pretty different. Half-moon metal fencing bumps out into the thoroughfare where parking and lanes of traffic used to be. Bright orange cones guard the outer edges.

In place of the standard four lanes, the street narrows into two lanes, with a single turning lane down the middle. The changes were made almost overnight to better accommodate businesses during the age of social distancing, allowing shops and restaurants to use parts of Main Avenue for retail and dining.

Durango Police Department Sgt. Nick Stasi said Friday not all drivers have figured out the changes or “embraced” the center-turn lane. Some drivers have been seen trying to turn left from the main lanes of traffic rather than enter the middle turn lane, he said.

Delivery trucks also have been using the center lane to park and walk across lanes of traffic to make their deliveries, he said.

“It definitely feels more congested, and there’s definitely still some driver confusion about turn lanes,” Stasi said. “... It’s still a new thing that people are trying to figure out.”

Stasi said it will be a learning curve for drivers, kind of like when a four-way stop went in at Eighth Street and East Second Avenue, near Steamworks Brewing Co.

“We’re just so accustomed to the way it’s always been,” he said. “It’s important that people follow the signs and follow the arrows and just make sure they’re taking that extra couple of seconds to pay attention to what the light is doing versus what they are accustomed to seeing it do.”

Despite the funnel for cars, Durango resident Jen Schoedler said there aren’t nearly as many people walking around Main Avenue as normal during tourist season, and the extra space will help restaurants generate more revenue while maintaining a safe distance between customers.

“But I’m not sure I would want to sit in the middle of traffic,” Schoedler said.

She worries tourists who are already confused and trying to figure out where they are going will crash into the light fencing.

Durango Police Department Chief Bob Brammer said his biggest fear is that a vehicle could careen into shoppers, pedestrians or diners on Main Avenue. He said he is concerned about someone losing control of their vehicle, experiencing a medical emergency while driving or driving under the influence, not to mention an intentional act of violence.

The city has installed temporary anti-vehicle structures, but if the bump-outs remain the “new normal,” the city will have to consider installing more robust structures, he said.

“The last thing we want to do is have a vehicle go through a crowd of people that are sitting there just trying to enjoy dinner in front of one of the restaurants,” Brammer said.

Schoedler said she also noticed an increase in the number of parking meter attendants walking around Main Avenue to ensure drivers were following the new rules and ticketing people parking in the wrong places.

“I’ve seen three parking attendants in the last 45 minutes,” Schoedler said. “I’m not sure that’s sending a great message to tourists about Durango.”

A local couple noticed parking was more limited and difficult to find. The few parking lots fill quickly, and less parking on the street will make it difficult for drivers to find a spot, said Kathy Daviscourt.

“But all in all, it’s great to get these businesses opened up,” said her husband, Kevin Daviscourt.

Tourists Michael and Emily Masons said they had no problem finding parking around noon Friday.

“I think they’re cool,” said Linda Dolder of Durango about the bump-outs. “There’s more space, especially during COVID-19.”

Restaurants on Main Avenue are largely grateful for the opportunity to seat more customers.

“It’s allowing us to think outside the box of the premise,” said Karen Barger, the general manager of Seasons Rotisserie & Grill. When restaurants are allowed to open only with 50% capacity indoors, that’s “not a recipe for coming out ahead,” she said.

Lucia Thompson, owner of Hermosa Coffee Roasters, said the extra outdoor seating is helpful for her business. Her restaurant has a long hallway setup inside, which makes it difficult to seat customers at the appropriate social distance for COVID-19.

“Someone said it will feel like a street in Paris,” Thompson said. “I don’t know if that’s true, but I think it will be fantastic for more people to sit outside and have coffee and a pastry.”

Old Barrel Tea Co. normally has tables on the sidewalk, and Manager Karen Whipple said she is happy to expand that space for people to sip tea and sit outdoors.

“Whatever is best for the community is good for us,” Whipple said.

ehayes@durangoherald.com

Deputy Editor Shane Benjamin contributed to this report.