Long-awaited construction on County Road 251 – the extension of East 32nd Street between Holly Avenue and East Animas Road (County Road 250) – has begun, slowing traffic to a single lane likely through the rest of the year.
The city of Durango will annex the section of road, which connects the north end of Main Street to Florida Road via East Animas Road. Only a short section of the streets currently fall outside the city limits. La Plata County and the city have each agreed to contribute $4.4 million to the estimated $8.8 million project.
Contractors with F&M Construction began tearing up one lane of the road Monday and reduced traffic down to a single lane to provide local access. Barney Bunker, the city’s project manager in the public works department, said that traffic will be impacted likely through the end of 2024.
“The traffic pattern will vary but there will be traffic delays throughout the duration of the project,” he said.
He hopes construction will wrap up this winter, although it could last into 2025.
When completed, the road will feature a design similar to Florida Road featuring bike paths on both sides of the road, a sidewalk on the northern edge, and medians separating lanes and paths from one another.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
