Dear Action Line: I am one of the many avid amateur cyclists who enjoys getting out onto the Animas River Trail to get a little wind in my hair (er, helmet). However, there are several sections that are my nemesis and having heard the grunts of other cyclists I pass, I know I’m not alone. The asphalt has seen better days, and the cracks, while periodically filled, are quite the painful bump for cyclists and I’m sure for strollers and a trip hazard for walkers. The newer sections of the path are such a joy to ride and walk. Curious if there is any conversation about replacing those sections? – River Trail Lover
Dear River Trail Lover,
I feel your pain. My hands and butt also feel your pain from riding on the old, crumbling sections of the Animas River Trail.
Lucky for us, these areas are on the city’s radar. There are three sections that are scheduled to be improved: Santa Rita Park north to Albertsons, Santa Rita Park south to Nature’s Oasis, and Memorial Park (Demon Bridge) north to Rank Park. All of these can be tracked at https://tinyurl.com/32c2utk4.
The section between Santa Rita and Albertsons is the first on the priority list. The city announced this section will close on March 3 until sometime in October to rebuild the trail.
According to a city news release: “The project will replace the deteriorating asphalt with a new concrete path that is 10-12 feet wide, along with new railings and trail lighting. The trail will also be realigned to address the blind corner beneath the U.S. Highway 160 bridge. A new portage trail will also be included above the white-water park to allow rafters to exit the river before going through the rapids if there is a safety concern.”
The eight-month-long closure will no doubt be inconvenient, but our hands and butts will experience a smoother ride by the end of the year. The closure will necessitate that riders, walkers and other trail users find an alternate route. The official detour, if you’re heading north on the trail, starts by crossing U.S. Highway 550 at Santa Rita Park, taking the connector path to a left turn on First Street, right on East Fourth Avenue, left on Third Street, right on East Third Avenue and a left on College Drive before crossing Camino del Rio to rejoin the trail near Albertsons.
Got that?
This summer may be more confusing than ever for locals and tourists looking for a nice stroll by the river or commute across town.
Construction documents are currently being drawn up for the section south of Santa Rita. The other section is more complicated because it will require the replacement of the aging Demon Bridge. Construction plans are complete, but it has yet to go out to contractors for bid.
The city will also install fiber infrastructure during the Santa Rita-Albertsons construction. The fiber aspect was presented to City Council on Wednesday night as part of a broader proposal to amend the city budget, which included projects ranging from the Junction Street redesign and College Drive road diet to development of Durango Mesa Park. The resolution passed unanimously, meaning several projects will continue pedaling their way along the trail to completion.
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On a different note, Action Line heard back from City Market regarding the subject of last week’s column, the Live View Tower in the south City Market parking lot.
“At City Market, safety is not just a priority, it’s a core value,” said Jessica Trowbridge, who works in corporate affairs for King Soopers and City Market. “We are committed to continually seeking solutions that enhance the safety of our associates and customers. The implementation of the Live View Tower is just one of the many proactive steps we’ve taken to prevent crime and ensure a secure environment for everyone.”
That’s 70 words that explain very little. We’re still wondering if there was any incident that inspired the security camera and what this adds to existing building-mounted cameras. We don’t want to speculate about any crime or public safety concerns at City Market, but those questions naturally come up in the absence of information.
Email questions and conspiracy theories about the City Market parking lot to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301, via the USPS.
