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Highway project unsafe, ineffective

I recently read this on the city of Durango’s website: “We are committed to the provision of effective and efficient public services designed to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of our community.” Tell me how the reconstruction of the U.S. Highway 550/160 intersection achieves this goal?

It has created safety hazards and significant traffic delays – all in the name of adding bike crossings to a major highway intersection. Now that there is only one lane to get through the intersection and a 16-second green light, it took me four light cycles to turn onto Camino del Rio. What “we love bikes” national award are we going for that sacrifices all of the safety and efficient use of the highways to get into the town for me to work and frequent with my family?

I have to ask what positive, significant tourism impact this will make on our community versus the impact that those of us who live, work here and drive into town make? I work in oil and gas and am very proud of that. Do tourists support local charities to the tune that oil and gas companies, banks and other local businesses do? I was at a Volunteers of America fundraiser this spring, where BP raised $85,000 in two hours. Do tourists do that? Do tourists pay local community members significant salaries in order to grow the local community and support real estate, home furnishings, car-buying and other shops like those of us do who live here?

How are emergency vehicles going to get through this intersection now that there are all of the raised-cement sections in that intersection? Where are snowplows going to push the snow? How many accidents have to occur with the new pedestrian crossing that goes across the highway – instead of leaving it safely underneath the bridge – in order to understand how unsafe it is?

It’s unsafe, it’s impractical and it’s very ineffective and an inefficient use of taxpayers dollars – all in the name of bike lanes.

Brenda Fulkrod

Durango



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