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Prioritize ‘human life’ on Animas View Drive

Two weeks ago, a young woman full of potential was killed on Animas View Drive while walking her dog. It was 7:45 pm, dark and a sudden rainstorm had popped up. She was walking with the traffic instead of against it. But I don’t think that’s why Katie Marie Siegrist died. Residents of the street have warned Durango’s City Council of its dangers, predicting that someone would be killed.

Animas View Drive runs parallel to Highway 550 from 38th Street north for about two miles. Thirty-five years ago, it was a narrow little road inhabited by almost no one. But the city has encouraged rampant development for two decades, resulting in a high-density neighborhood of condos, apartments, townhomes, mobile homes, the Oxbow park and river access, and a popular RV campground. With proximity to the river, it’s also a mecca for cyclists, pedestrians, rafters, swimmers and tourists.

Despite all this development, the road is exactly as it was 35 years ago. It has never been widened or lit. Its so-called “shoulders” are still 6 to 18 inches wide and slant sideways. They’re overgrown with low tree branches, large bushes and tall grass. Rarely patrolled, drivers often travel 50 mph in this 25 mph zone, and few of them move over for cyclists or pedestrians.

The city of Durango is not the only entity at fault here. All of us can do better, and by doing better we can save lives. My hope is that Katie’s tragic death might at least serve some purpose if it saves other lives in the future. As a resident who walks on Animas View Drive almost daily, I have a few suggestions.

First, to our city councilors: Instead of redesigning downtown Durango yet again, please overhaul Animas View Drive. This heavily traveled strip of pavement is not adequate for the high-density neighborhood you have encouraged. Space exists to widen both lanes of traffic, triple the width of shoulders, and add sidewalks and street lights. It will cost nothing to use existing equipment and employees to remove the overgrowth along both sides of the road.

To law enforcement: Fill the city coffers with heavy fines for those who speed on Animas View Drive. Penalize drivers who break Colorado law by refusing to move over for cyclists and pedestrians. Most don’t move over at all; some move over so slightly that it doesn’t improve safety.

Code enforcement: Construction projects block Animas View Drive for years at a time with cement mixers, dump trucks, lumber deliveries and excavating equipment. These vehicles are often parked in the center of the street without the traffic cones, signs or personnel that are required by law. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are endangered trying to negotiate all the blind spots, while code enforcers are nowhere to be seen.

Drivers: Slow down and move over! If there’s oncoming traffic, stop and wait for it to pass. Then cross the double-yellow line into the oncoming lane every time you pass a cyclist or pedestrian. That’s Colorado law.

Cyclists: Please don’t ride two- or four-abreast on Animas View Drive. We’ve got enough risk already. When passing a pedestrian, move over just like the law requires drivers to move over for you. If you approach someone from behind, say something. And stop swerving across both lanes of traffic to make a left turn at the last second.

Pedestrians: Walk against the traffic so you can see approaching vehicles. After dark, wear white or neon green, along with a reflective vest – you are invisible in dark clothes.

Let’s all work together to make human life our top priority.

Janet Jones is a neuroscientist, horse trainer and book author who has walked Durango for 35 years.