A good start for the Walsenburg Pedestrian Project

WALSENBURG — Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), traffic engineering firm Stolfus and Associates, and LiveWell Huerfano County hosted a public meeting last Wednesday where various proposals to improve the I-25 business corridor and Hwy 160 route through Walsenburg were presented. About 50 people attended the meeting to learn and make comments about the CDOT project. Sasan Delshad, CDOT project engineer, said “The purpose of the project is to study and explore all the possible alternatives to ensure proper mobility for all modes of transportation including vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles through the corridor.” The meeting started with a short background introduction from LiveWell Huerfano County Coordinator Cindy Campbell, then Stolfus and Associates gave a power point presentation depicting different types of bike lanes and crosswalks that could improve transportation in Walsenburg. Posters of the proposed crosswalk designs and bike lane configurations were posted around the room for participants to examine. A Walsenburg pedestrian/bicycle study comment sheet was passed out and collected. Delshad assured the crowd all comments and suggestions will be considered during the final design phase. For folks who were unable to attend the meeting, the posters and comment sheets are available for viewing at Washington Underground (basement of Washington School). The engineering team will take the comments and ideas from the public to refine the designs. The finalized plans will then be presented in late spring to the public. If all designs are approved, construction can begin in late summer/early fall for completion before the end of 2016.