Multimodal Transportation Plan

2021 Multimodal Transportation Plan Update

The city of Durango launched the Multimodal Transportation Plan update in 2021 with public outreach to gather community feedback on the existing plan and transportation needs. Outreach included 8 virtual and in person neighborhood meetings, separate meetings with specific population groups, and event booths. Input was also received through 2 online surveys and an online comment map. 

Status

The city awarded a contract to a consultant in the fall of 2022 to assist with updating the plan. The drafting process started with a visioning meeting with the Multimodal Advisory Board. Audio from that meeting is available here. 

The first draft of the updated plan is anticipated at the end of February 2023. Check back for public involvement opportunities. 

  1. 2021 Update
  2. 2016 Plan
  3. 2012 Plan

Meetings and events

PAST 

  • April 29, 2021: Kickoff event, Listen to audio or view presentation slides  
  • June 10, 2021: Zone 5 meeting, 4-6 p.m., Three Springs Plaza, 151 Heritage Ln
  • August 2, 2021: Zone 7 meeting, 4-6 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
  • September 2, 2021: Zone 1 meeting, 5-7 p.m., Fanto Park, 401-499 E 7th Ave. 
  • October 4, 2021: Zone 3 meeting, 5-7 p.m., Folsom Park, 11 Folsom Place
  • October 26, 2021: Zone 4 meeting - 5 p.m., CDOT training room, 20581 Highway 160 West 
  • November 10, 2021: Zone 6 meeting - 8:30-9:30 a.m., Virtually on Zoom.
  • February 11, 2022: Zone 2 meeting, 5-7 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.

Multimodal Ideas Map

Click on the map to see ideas shared by community members.  

Image of the Multimodal Needs Map ArcGIS tool Opens in new window

 

What is a Multimodal Transportation Plan?

The city of Durango's Multimodal Transportation Plan guides the implementation of projects to move Durango towards a transportation network that integrates all modes of travel and makes transportation more equitable and safer. The plan's transportation policy focuses on moving people, rather than just moving automobiles. The vision of the plan is to create a fully-connected transportation network that provides for an outstanding transit, bicycling, walking and rolling community in Durango. Research has shown that communities that are friendly to all mode users provide a much higher quality of life than those that are focused primarily on the automobile. A measure of achieving this vision is that a middle-school aged child is able to safely and conveniently access transit and bike or walk independently throughout Durango and its environs.

The city of Durango is in a unique position as a smaller community due to immense public and political support for transit, multimodal transportation, parking and sustainability. This broad-based community support allows for the implementation of innovative transportation processes and projects. Due in part to this support, the city adopted its first Multimodal Transportation Plan in 2012, then adopted a plan update in 2016 and is now undergoing a plan update in 2021 to guide the implementation of prioritized projects and act as Durango's blueprint for connectivity, accessibility and mobility.

Success Stories

There have been multiple improvement success stories since the last plan update, as projects are implemented and the vision of the plan is brought to life.  You may have noticed some of the following improvements:

  • The Needham Connect Phase II Project was completed on Columbine Drive, improving sidewalks, installing ADA-compliant curb ramps and curb extensions to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety near Needham Elementary. 
  • Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons were installed to increase pedestrian safety at the 25th St and E 2nd Ave intersection and at the Horse Gulch intersection at 3rd St and 8th Ave. 
  • Bike lanes were added on Junction St from Miller Middle School to the city limits at Junction Ln.

Why an update in 2021?

A lot has changed in Durango since 2016, with new development, change of existing uses, a growing population, and changing transportation trends and technology. The purpose of the 2021 Multimodal Transportation Plan update is to ensure that the projects identified in the 2016 plan are current, update deficiencies, measure and evaluate accomplished projects, include new transportation technologies and ensure the plan accurately portrays the needs of the changing community. The impetus behind updating a 4-year-old plan is to attain the City Council's strategic goal to update the Multimodal Transportation Plan by 2023.