Status: Plans for this section of the trail are complete. After receiving no bids in April 2024, the project was re-bid in October and the contract was awarded to F&M Construction in early December. Construction will begin in Spring 2025.

Improvements along this segment include:

• The portion of trail on the south side of the Hwy 160 underpass will become a cantilevered section to improve the tight, blind corner. This will provide pedestrians better site-visibility as well as improve user experience with more separation from the busy highway.
• The area behind The Doubletree Inn is an easement and has substandard lighting not managed by the City. This project will replace the lighting and include it in the City of Durango asset management. Additional space will be provided at the congested “Beer Garden” and off-trail bike racks will be provided.
• The underpass will receive new railing and lighting as well as mitigation to the drainage from the highway that creates ice on the trail during the winter months.
• Overall improved trail profile and drainage to mitigate pooling water at low points and where S. Camino del Rio seeps under the highway.
• The design includes a pull-out with bench for users to have a place to rest along the long stretch without impeding moving traffic. The existing historical markers will be reset.
• A soft-surface pedestrian path from the north end of the Whitewater Park to the Animas River Trail trail will be added to facilitate unloading rafters prior to the Whitewater Park during high flow.

Status: Plans for this section of trail are near completion with only final review remaining. The project will go out to bid as annual budget funds are allocated.

Improvements along this segment include:

• Replace the pedestrian bridge to accommodate maintenance vehicles and provide a wider turn for improved circulation at the abutments.
• Resolve stormwater drainage from highway which drains onto trail underpass.
• Provide new culvert to manage Horse Gulch Drainage and eliminate erosion.
• Address “slag pile” erosion onto trail at rock outcropping.
• Generally improve the flow of the trail alignment and coordinate with Durango Trails to provide a meandering singletrack experience adjacent to the Animas River Trail.
• Local art will be installed along this section of trail and a mural along the underpass.
• Project includes the spur trail connection to the crosswalk at S. Camino del Rio and Nature’s Oasis. The new configuration will decrease the steepness and clearly identify the intersection.

Status: Plans for this section of trail are complete. The project will go out to bid as annual budget funds are allocated.

Improvements along this segment include:

• Replacing the existing Demon footbridge with a new, wider bridge with smoother abutments. The height of the bridge will meet waterway freeboard requirements while not impacting the existing grade of the railroad crossing.
• The turn of the trail at the east end of the bridge will be wider to improve the safety of the curve and the connection with the soft-surface Rae Trail will be modified as needed to maintain access.
• The intersection with Rank Park, the Rec Center Spur and the Railroad Crossing is to be re-designed to improve the steep grade and be safer for all users. All striping and signage will clearly identify the intersection and railroad crossing.
• A soft-surface trail and boulder steps will provide a formalized “short-cut”.
• Irrigation and planting will to be expanded from the existing park (south end of Memorial Park) to provide new trees and enhance the new trail configuration with landscaping.
• The concrete utility box will be screened from public view with landscaping, yet left accessible to properly maintain.
• Replacing the trail spur to Rio Vista Circle. The steep grade will be improved as well as the drainage and interface with the roadway.
• The trail will include an uninterrupted, 2 foot wide soft-surface path along the length of the trail. These small trails are popular for trail-running.