SEPTEMBER 2018

The Main Avenue Trolley route will be returning to 20-minute service at all stops on Sunday, October 7 i n order to meet Durango Transit's high standard of safety.

Transit service reductions made earlier this year as a result of decreased grant funding. At that time, the Main Avenue Trolley route was reduced to 30-minute headways.  However, the route has been unable to stay on schedule due to variable traffic conditions and a high volume of passengers. This has become a safety concern. 

As Durango Transit's priority is to provide safe and reliable transit service, the Main Avenue Trolley will return to 20-minute headways.  The Main Avenue Trolley continues to be Durango Transit's busiest route, providing an average of 390 trips per day. 
College and 8th Safety Project Public Kick-Off Meeting 

Cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists share the busy College Drive corridor.
The City of Durango is considering a lane reconfiguration to improve safety along College Drive from East 3rd Avenue to East 8th Avenue and along East 8th Avenue from 2nd Street to College Drive. 

A 2016 traffic study in the "L" shaped corridor analyzed the feasibility and potential impacts of implementing a lane reconfiguration.  Watch this video  to learn how a lane reconfiguration increases safety.

Russell Planning & Engineering is in the beginning phases of design for this project. Design and engineering began in early 2018, and construction is anticipated in 2021. 

The first public meeting for the project  was held on September 12. Click here to see the public comment log. 

Anticipated Total Project Cost: $2.1 million
Project Grant Funding: Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant $779,877 and FASTER Grant $300,000
Local Match Total (2015 Half Cent Sales and Use Tax Fund): $1,020,123

For more information, visit  www.durangogov.org/collegeand8th .
September's Share the Road Tip: 
Cross at Crosswalks!


Are you a jaywalker? Jaywalking is common, but there are a few reasons to choose a safer option when crossing the street.

Did you know pedestrians are required by law to cross roads at crosswalks whenever possible? Drivers expect to see pedestrians crossing at crosswalks and intersections, so it makes sense that most pedestrian accidents with cars occur at mid-block crossings, between intersections. Be alert! Remember, the big loser in a pedestrian-vehicle crash is always the pedestrian. 

When you are crossing, try to get eye contact with approaching drivers when possible. Before crossing, stop, look left-right-left, and then over the shoulder for turning traffic. Even when pedestrians have the right-of-way it is very important to watch out for drivers that are not paying attention. 

At a stop light, pedestrians need to cross during the walk symbol by law. A pedestrian who does not obey the signal lights could get a traffic ticket from a police officer or get hit by a car. Stay safe out there, friends!

Read more tips on how to safely share the road. 
If you have a road story you'd like to share,  please email  [email protected] .  
Commuter of the Month

Andrew Wracher rides his bike to and from work.

Andrew says "I choose to ride my bike because it's fun! I like to see what the river is doing, what wildlife is out, what the weather is like. I watch the geese hatch in the spring and I can see them grow up over the following weeks. I can check out new building projects and restaurants. Biking is how I see what's going on in Durango."

If you or someone you know would make a great Commuter of the Month, please email your nomination to [email protected].

What:  10 th  Annual Apple Days Festival
When: Sunday, October 7 th 11 AM - 4 PM
Where: Buckley Park
Cost: FREE!

Celebrate our region's apple abundance (21 million lbs this year), feed our community, reduce waste and save the bears!

Spend Saturday harvesting apples from backyard trees and orchards, then head to Buckley Park on Sunday to press apples into fresh juice, participate in an apple pie eating contest, listen to live music provided by Stillwater Music and enjoy a family-friendly afternoon out on the town!
Fresh-pressed apple juice will be available for a suggested donation, with all proceeds going to support The Good Food Collective.
 
For more information, checkout the Facebook event here!
If you have a tree to donate for harvesting, please register here .
 
Apple Days is brought to you by BearSmart Durango, CSU Extension, Local First, Environmental Center at FLC, the Old Fort, Cooking Matters, Healthy Community Food Systems and the Garden Project of SW Colorado.
WHAT WE ARE READING
Colorado Association of Ski Towns hopes to encourage transportation changes in resort towns. A report release in August outlines best practices for developing multimodal forms of transportation in resort communities. Read more.

SUCAP adopts a new name. Southern Ute Community Action Programs announced its name has been changed to: Southern Colorado Community Action Agency (SoCoCAA). Read more. 

Where ride-hailing and transit go hand in hand. Ever planned to take the bus, but wound up calling an Uber? Read more. 
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