The MidTown Safety and Connectivity project will design improvements to create a safer connection into downtown Durango from the north for pedestrians and bicyclists. It was prioritized by the Multimodal Advisory Board in 2019 and improvements are identified in the 2016 Multimodal Transportation Plan.
This area is the northern pedestrian and cyclist gateway into downtown Durango with the Animas River Trail connection on East 2nd Avenue and the shared-use path that connects at the Florida Road, East 3rd Avenue and 15th Street intersection.
This project will involve evaluating and designing:
- Improvements to the Florida/3rd/15th intersection
- A two-way cycle track on East 2nd Avenue
- Improvements to the sidewalk network
- Improvements to curb ramps and crossings for ADA compliance and accessibility
- Improvements to the transit stop on 14th Street for better accessibility
- A new school crossing at 13th St and East 2nd Avenue
- Cyclist lanes on streets in the area
In addition to these design improvements, the Colorado Department of Transportation is working with design firm SEH on a traffic study of the scope area and Main Avenue (US HWY 550).
This project is not directly associated with the Durango Renewal Partnership Urban Renewal Authority (URA), which aims to revitalize the MidTown area by stimulating more infill development and redevelopment that is pedestrian and cyclist friendly. The Safety and Connectivity project will complement and help achieve this overall vision for the MidTown area.
Project design cost: $294,607
Project funding: 2015 Half Cent Sales and Use Tax Funds
The parameters for this project are the Animas River, 13th Street, East 3rd Avenue, and Main Avenue (US HWY 550). The MidTown Safety and Connectivity project is specific to the right-of-way, road and sidewalk, in this area. The highlighted streets in the map below show the project scope.
The first step to the MidTown Safety and Connectivity Improvement Design project was to conduct a traffic study. The MidTown traffic study, which looked at 11 different scenarios, was conducted by the design consultant and CDOT in coordination with the city in 2021-2022. Some of the scenarios improved the traffic in the MidTown area, with removing southbound left turns from Main Ave onto 14th St having the most positive impact on level of service. Additionally, it showed the need for improvements to the Florida Rd, 15th St, and E 3rd Ave intersection. While the traffic study is useful for determining potential design impacts to intersection delays, it does not analyze the benefits to overall safety, bicyclists and pedestrians. A balance must be found between traffic delay and safety for all mode users.
The final traffic study can be found here.
In 2022, Multimodal staff met with business owners in the MidTown area to discuss their day-to-day business operations and needs. Upon the completion of the traffic study and input from businesses, conceptual alternatives were created to improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity and safety in the MidTown area. The conceptual plans have two design alternatives for most of the blocks in the MidTown area. These conceptual designs were created with the intent of maintaining existing business functionality while also improving pedestrian and bicycle connections and safety.
The conceptual plans for the MidTown Safety and Connectivity Improvement Design can be found here.
Community members are welcome to contact Multimodal staff about the project at multimodal@durangoco.gov or (970) 375-4955.
The City created a focus group to critically review public input, consultant proposed alternatives, data, and other feedback regarding the 15th St, Florida Rd, and E 3rd Ave intersection to provide objective feedback regarding improvements. The summaries from the focus group meetings are provided below.
