Durango, CO:
Durango’s first year with a dedicated Capital Improvement Program division draws to a close with 43 projects completed in 2022, plus an additional 17 projects scheduled for completion in 2023.
“It’s very exciting to see the projects that have been completed,” said Durango City Councilor Kim Baxter said at the Dec. 6 council study session. “The CIP division is getting the things done that they’ve been tasked with and now that they have the staffing, which they didn’t have before, I see that we should be in fine shape for 2023.”
This past year was filled with massive projects like repaving the runway at the Durango La-Plata Airport, as well as small but well-used projects like the new sand volleyball courts at Santa Rita Park.
In 2023 the CIP division is looking to tackle a wide array of projects:
- Smart 160 Trail: A new segment for the multi-use trail will connect the missing 1.5 miles from Escalante Drive to Grandview Interchange. Connecting the trail between Three Springs and the Animas River Trail. This is a multiyear project.
- Lake Nighthorse Improvements: Renovations to the lake's entryway and the installation of a watercraft inspection and decontamination station.
- Durango Mesa Park: The first phase in a regional destination for multiple recreational purposes, including progressive cycling trails & support facilities.
- Outdoor Pickleball Courts: Construction of the City's first official pickleball courts will take place at Schneider Park, along with added parking and minor renovations to the restroom facilities.
- Eighth Avenue and College Drive Road Diet: Safety improvements at Eighth Avenue and College Drive will include improvements to sidewalk and ADA ramps, transit stops, an upgraded signal light, and a pedestrian refuge island.
- ADA Improvements – Phase 1: ADA improvements to will be made to transit stops along N. Main Avenue, including sidewalks, curb & gutter, and ADA ramps.
- CR 250/251 Reconstruction: The joint project with La Plata County will fully reconstruct the road, including a dedicated bike lane, a 10 foot shared use path, a storm drainage, landscaped medians, sidewalks, and streetlights.
- N. College Drive Reconstruction: Reconstruction will take place on Florida Road up to the first switchback and will include traffic calming roadway reconstruction, a new storm drain system, water quality ponds, landscaping, transit stops, a shared use path or bike lane and sidewalk throughout. This project will be paired with waterline replacement and sewer rehab work.
- College Mesa Water Treatment Plan 3MG Tank: Installation of a new tank at College Mesa will allow for improved water treatment, and is an important step toward adding to water treatment capacity as the city grows. The project will also include maintenance on the existing 7MG tank.
- 160 West Waterline Replacement: A 10" waterline from Roosa Avenue to Tech Center Drive will be replaced. Upsizing this water line allows for improved capacity out to Twin Buttes as that development fills grows.
The city will have spent approximately $30 million on capital improvement projects in 2022, with some projects carrying over into 2023.The adopted budget for capital improvement projects in 2023 is approximately $47 million.
While presenting the 2022 wrapup to council, CIP Division Manager Jennifer Holland noted the department has made great strides organizationally and plans to continue that into new year.
"We've been working with the various departments and divisions to spread out their timelines so that they have more time for design and get into a sustainable cycle so that we can do our bidding earlier," Holland said. "Next year we're looking to dial it in and step it up even further."
The CIP division manages the construction of city projects where costs exceed $50,000 and service the city for more than three years. From the pre-construction and planning phases of a project to its completion, the new department manages the scope, quality, schedule, and cost of a project.
For more information on the city’s capital improvements, visit the Public Works website, or go to Opengov to see a comprehensive list of projects on an interactive map that shows the project, construction status, cost and more.
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Media Contact
Tom Sluis
Director, Media and Community Engagement
Phone: (970) 375-5090
Email: Tom.Sluis@durangogov.org
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