Durango, CO: **City Council is scheduled to review two significant transportation and infrastructure items of public interest during its Oct. 6 study session and regular meeting: the final design plans for Downtown’s Next Step and the Speed Management Plan.
Study session: Downtown’s Next Step
Councilors will receive a presentation and discuss the final design plans and associated cost estimates for Downtown’s Next Step during the study session.
In September 2024, the Council passed a resolution directing staff to complete the design phase and pilot project for Downtown’s Next Step, while not pursuing the construction phase and suspending any spending or planning associated with the construction of the streetscape improvements.
MIG, the engineering team selected for this project, has completed the final design plans as directed by the resolution passed in 2024. As part of the final design plans, MIG has prepared two cost estimates for this project, one specific to the utility scope and one for the full utility and streetscape components. These cost estimates will be presented to Council for their consideration during the study session.
City Council study sessions do not include public comment because they do not include an action item; however, community members are invited to learn more or submit questions by visiting the Engage Durango project page at: https://engage.durangoco.gov/downtowns-next-step. The study session begins at 2 p.m.
Regular meeting: Speed Management Plan
Engineering and planning partner HDR and City staff have developed a Speed Management Plan to provide a consistent, citywide framework for addressing speeding and traffic safety concerns. The plan incorporates community input, transportation and safety data, and coordination with city departments and regional partners. It provides a toolbox of engineering, education, enforcement and quick-build strategies to help address speed concerns based on the type of street and the specific concern.
The development of the Speed Management Plan was funded through a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant. As part of the grant requirement, the city conducted temporary demonstration projects using traffic calming treatments that have seen success in other communities. The temporary demonstrations were conducted on Riverview Drive and Goeglein Gulch Road to test potential approaches and gather community feedback. Both demonstrations have been removed, restoring the streets to their original configuration. The demonstration survey results and other project data will be shared on Engage Durango.
The demonstration projects are separate from adoption of the Speed Management Plan. Adoption of the plan will establish the framework for evaluating and addressing speeding concerns, and does not approve specific treatments and locations. City Council will consider adoption of the Speed Management Plan during its regular meeting Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m. The plan and speed management toolbox are available on the Engage Durango project page at: https://engage.durangoco.gov/speed-management-plan
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Media Contact**Tom SluisPublic Information Officer Phone: (970) 375-5090Email: Tom Sluis