Thank you for your interest in the City of Durango’s pilot phase of the Downtown’s Next Step project! Downtown’s Next Step will improve safety and accessibility, calm traffic, and encourage economic vitality in historic downtown Durango. This pilot uses temporary materials to demonstrate some of the proposed elements of the project including expanded sidewalks, curb extensions, and amenities. This temporary installation illustrates the benefit and functionality of these features before the permanent capital investment of the project. Let us know what you think!

Purpose: Increase pedestrian safety, comfort and visibility

Curb extensions extend the sidewalk or curb line, reducing the effective street width. For the Downtown’s Next Step project, concrete curb extensions are proposed to be installed at intersections to improve safety for pedestrians and slow motor vehicle traffic.

Six key benefits of curb extensions at intersections:

1. Shorter crossing distance - Shorter crossing distances improve foot traffic safety and overall walkability. For pedestrians who move more slowly or are living with a disability, a shorter crosswalk can help ensure a feeling of safety.
   
2. Higher visibility between drivers and pedestrians – Curb extensions increase the overall visibility of pedestrians by aligning them with the parking lane and reducing their crossing distance.
   
3. Crosswalk is more noticeable - Curb extensions help improve sight lines for drivers so that pedestrians waiting to cross the intersection are seen more easily. Standard intersections with no curb extensions place foot traffic further away from vehicular traffic, which in some cases can make it difficult for drivers to spot pedestrians.
   
4. Narrow the roadway to slow through speeds – Curb extensions decrease the overall width of the roadway at the intersection and serve as a visual cue to drivers to slow down because they are entering a pedestrian use area.
5. Reduced vehicle turn speeds - Curb extensions shorten the turning radius in intersections which slows traffic speeds. Curb extensions can still be used in intersections requiring a larger turning radius, although it may require the addition of bike and parking lanes.
6. Increased space - The additional space created by curb extensions, especially longer curb extensions, allow for placement of benches, trash receptacles, light poles, plantings, and other amenities that can help enhance a city’s streetscape. It also adds space for ADA curb ramps to be aligned with the crosswalk.