Fiber Optic Project Begins Work

Work on the second phase of the Wolf Creek Fiber Optic Project began this week. Be prepared for delays when traveling along Highway 160. The Durango Public Library’s new EV charging stations are up and running, and the city of Durango is offering free charging at the library through the end of July. Animas Museum is hosting a talk and book signing with Ed Horvat, the author of “Images of America: La Plata County.” And three trails leading to Miller Middle School are now closed For student safety. You’re watching the “Local News Roundup,” brought to you by Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers and Tafoya Barrett and Associates. I’m Sadie Smith. The Wolf Creek Fiber Optic Project commenced work on the second phase of the project this week. The project, which is installing fiber along a 16-mile stretch between the Wolf Creek Pass east tunnel to South Fork, will provide additional safety for drivers and travelers with high-tech equipment. The planned construction includes installing a variable message board to warn of road and weather conditions, installing cable racks and support in manholes, and repairing damage conduit. The work will also include installing variable speed limits, closed circuit cameras, and a new weather monitoring system. If you’re planning on traveling along Highway 160 over Wolf Creek Pass, be prepared for work between mile markers 144 and 147. Construction hours will be between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Vehicles will be reduced to single-lane alternating traffic with flaggers and up to 15-minute delays. Speed limits will be reduced to 40 miles per hour for worker and driver safety. Find more information on CDOT’s trip planner website. Four new electric vehicle charging stations have been installed at the Durango Public Library. And to celebrate the installation, the City of Durango is offering free charging through July 31st. The city has seen a steady increase in the number of charging station uses over the past few years and has plans to expand the EV charging station at the Transit Center by the end of the year. Join the Animas Museum on Saturday, July 13th, for a talk with Ed Horvat and his new book, “Images of America: La Plata County.” Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event for Horvat to sign and contains over 200 images of La Plata County. Horvat is also known for his column in the “Durango Herald,” “And the West is History.” The event is being held in person and on Zoom. Registration is free and will be recorded. Three trails leading to the Miller Middle School campus are now permanently closed, and access to the school will no longer be available via the routes. The trails include two heading southeast from West 28th Street and a winding trail to the east of the school. The closures were decided for a few reasons. First and foremost is safety and security. The new school is designed with main entry/exit points for staff and teachers to be able to keep an eye on the students. The trails dead end into spaces that will have significant vehicle traffic during the drop off and pick up times and create issues with pedestrian and cyclist safety. Lastly, the trails were closed out of respect for the residents along West 28th Street, who routinely dealt with the noise of people using the trails. Learn more about these in other stories online at durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the “Local News Roundup.” I’m Sadie Smith.