More options for a pedestrian crossing of the Animas River Trail at 32nd Street to link two now-separated portions of the trail will be examined by the Durango City Council in addition to the original plan for a $4.1 million pedestrian-only bridge.
City staff presented an option at Monday night’s City Council meeting to create a 32nd Street underpass that would allow for a pedestrian pathway under the Emerson-Parks Bridge (32nd Street) and loop around to access a sidewalk alongside the bridge – a design similar to the river trail at Ninth Street.
One problem with creating a pedestrian underpass at 32nd Street to access the river trail via the existing crossing now used by vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians is that the underpass would be underwater during high-water periods, said Scott McClain, Durango’s assistant parks director.
When the Animas River is flowing at 4,250 cubic feet per second, the underpass access would be underwater, he said. He noted, during the spring runoff in 2019, the Animas was flowing at greater than 4,000 cfs for at least four weeks.
The new proposal led councilors to schedule a more in-depth look at the options for the river trail at 32nd Street at a work session April 7.
“I think we really want to come back to function and how it really functions as an integral part of the long-term ART (Animas River Trail), and so to get my head around it, I need a couple of weeks at least, and that kind of puts us into April,” Councilor Dean Brookie told the council.
Councilor Kim Baxter noted the council, at that time, also would have bids for the original project. Bids for the original project will be opened March 24, and those bids would provide more complete information about whether the original plan for the pedestrian bridge is on budget.
Councilor Barbara Noseworthy also supported a more robust discussion, largely because it would provide the council with a more accurate picture of what other recreational projects, including upgrades to the river trail, would be lost by devoting $4.1 million to a single pedestrian crossing.
“There are opportunity costs that we have to be cognizant of. Anything that gives us a better idea of costs and impacts and what can be done elsewhere would be helpful,” she said.
Mayor Melissa Youssef said the controversy over the pedestrian bridge created an opportunity to have a dialogue with residents.
“I think we are at a point where we want to take a pause, get some more information and make sure we are doing the best option for the community. I think it’s worth the extra time,” she said.
parmijo@durangoherald.com