Farmington Hill Overpass Up in the Air
Forty feet to be exact. The overpass bridge on US Highway 160, just east of its intersection with US Highway 550, is currently under construction and is part of a long-term plan that is expected to be complete by September 2010. Construction crews have been working to complete the first phase of the project, which includes the Farmington Hill Overpass. Additionally, because the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) currently has the funds, three smaller bridges, two ramps, and a new westbound artery from Grandview to the existing Farmington Hill will be completed in the initial phase of construction.
The Grandview area of Durango includes Mercy Regional Medical Center and Three Springs, a traditional neighborhood development complete with homes for sale, neighborhood parks, hiking trails and a commercial district with its newest neighborhood restaurant- Digs Market Cafe- opening in early 2009. Currently, access to Three Springs and Mercy Regional Medical Center is available via Three Springs Boulevard. The new construction will provide additional access to the Grandview area just West of Three Springs Blvd. making future development in Three Springs easily accessible.
Once the long-term plan is completed, a four-lane expressway will connect Highway 160 from downtown Durango to Grandview, and finally will reach east of Bayfield. In a recent article in the Durango Herald, Money Drives Bridge Project, Nancy Shanks, spokeswoman for Colorado Department of Transportation, states "We went ahead and used our budget efficiently," in response to progress inquiries. The construction funds were currently available and have been used in the build-out of phase I.
The project, totaling over $34 Million, has been underway since 2006 when CDOT completed the environmental impact statement and though funds are not secured for the remainder of the project, U.S Rep. John Salazar said he would continue to advocate for federal highway money.
To read the Durango Herald Article, click here.
