The alignment is currently being coordinated with the Durango Fire Protection District and the design of the Community Emergency Response Center.

A design charrette for city boards and commission members to collaborate and form their vision for the project was held on at the Durango Public Library. Board and commission members that were involved in the charrette included members from the Multimodal Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Durango Renewal Partnership, Creative Economy Commission, Design Review Board, Planning Commission, Business Improvement District and the Infrastructure Advisory Board.

Presentations and input from the charrette are provided below.

• Presentation
• Poll Questions and Answers
• Design Elements Feedback
• Concept Alternatives
• Group Design Concepts

This project will design a below grade-separated crossing (underpass) of Camino del Rio near 12th Street.

This underpass will serve as a safe and convenient connection point for pedestrians and bicyclists between the Animas River Trail and Downtown Durango.

Running parallel to Camino del Rio throughout the downtown corridor, the Animas River Trail is the centerpiece of the city of Durango’s trail system. It stretches nearly 7 miles through Durango’s Animas River greenway. It serves as a bicycle and pedestrian artery to the city’s overall trail network, parks, open spaces, neighborhoods and business corridors. It is a recreational trail as well as an important component of the city’s transportation network. The trail is used extensively by residents and visitors and is consistently rated as one of Durango’s top amenities.

A feasibility study was conducted in 2020 to determine the most feasible location and type of crossing along Camino del Rio. An underpass near 12th Street was found to be the most feasible long-term crossing.

The design process will include a design charrette at the beginning to have stakeholder groups, city advisory boards, and community members collaborate with staff and the consultant to conceptualize the design of the project. There will be two additional public meetings after the design charrette to receive public input on the design.

The City of Durango recognizes the need to provide a safe and convenient crossing for pedestrians and cyclists between the Animas River Trail and downtown Durango. With a focus on safety and connectivity, the City contracted an engineering feasibility study to explore the feasibility of under-, over-, or at-grade crossings at each intersection from 6th Street (College Drive) to 12th Street along Camino del Rio. The study was completed in April 2020, after a public process and review by the Multimodal Advisory Board.

View the completed feasibility study (PDF)

View the public comment log (PDF)

Study recommendations:

1. Investigate a standard traffic signal at the 12th Street and Camino intersection in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

The City included a traffic warrant study as an addendum to the Camino del Rio Pedestrian/Bicycle Crossing Study. The location did not meet the warrants to install a standard signal based on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The Multimodal Advisory Board recommended a variance request to the warrants, which was denied by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) based on the inflexibility of MUTCD guidelines.

2. Explore an underpass at 11th or 12th Street on Camino in collaboration with CDOT, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and several adjacent private property owners. Conceptual estimates for these improvements are $3.4 million for the 11th St underpass option, $3.4 million for the Veteran’s Way/12th St option, and $3.0 million for the 12th St/River City Hall option (excluding any costs associated with right-of-way acquisition).

3. Investigate the future anticipated demand and possible design options for an overpass or underpass at/near 6th Street on Camino in collaboration with CDOT, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and the Doubletree Hotel. Conceptual estimates for these improvements are $3.2 million for the overpass option and $3.9 million for the underpass option (excluding any costs associated with right-of-way acquisition).