Comments for Horse Gulch Blog

Comment on Resisting a discriminatory roadblock in a work zone on a bicycle by Howell

Howell — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:09:17 +0000

Nancy,
Thank you for talking with the contractor and the project team as to help me find some answers to my questions. If safety concerns arise that lead to bicycle-specific traffic restrictions in any work zone throughout our region, please let me know, as my readership and I would be interested to know what to expect in that situation.

Your reply to my inquiries is much appreciated.

Best,
Adam Howell
Horse Gulch Blog

Comment on Resisting a discriminatory roadblock in a work zone on a bicycle by Nancy Shanks

Nancy Shanks — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:19:20 +0000

Regarding the ‘cycling through a work zone’ incident described above, we have discussed the issue with our contractor’s traffic control supervisor. Unfortunately there was no recollection by traffic control company flaggers of the specific incident so we were unable to question the purpose for this cycling road block. However, we at CDOT and the sub-contractors with the traffic control company (incidentally, a company out of Bayfield, not Cortez as Bonnie suggests) have used this as an opportunity to discuss traffic management procedures to ensure that this does not happen again. If it happened, as described, it was certainly wrong and at the very least the cyclist should have been given a specific safety reason if she was to be held any longer than motorists. In this aproximately 1.5-mile work zone, traffic is in a single-lane, alternating configuration, with the speed limit reduced to 40 mph. Cyclists are allowed (nearly on a daily basis these days) to ride through with same directional traffic – as on all of our projects. We regret any incident that may have happened otherwise, and again, the traffic control company supervisor has addressed this with all staff. Please know that at CDOT, we take sharing the road very seriously–many of us here are cyclists as well (including the CDOT tester/inspector working on that project). We are glad this was brought to our attention and do apologize, on behalf of the project team, for the inconvenience experienced by Bonnie. If this should happen in the future, I would suggest members of the public give us a call first so we can have the opportunity to address the problem, and before too many conclusions are drawn about CDOT or our contractors’ practices or preferences. Thank you. Best regards, Nancy Shanks, CDOT Public Relations

Comment on Resisting a discriminatory roadblock in a work zone on a bicycle by Jake

Jake — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:32:37 +0000

I see your point. Let’s Ride!

Comment on Resisting a discriminatory roadblock in a work zone on a bicycle by Horse Gulch Blog by Adam Howell | Durango Wheel Club

Horse Gulch Blog by Adam Howell | Durango Wheel Club — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:04:08 +0000

[...] Resisting a discriminatory roadblock in a work zone on a bicycle [...]

Comment on Resisting a discriminatory roadblock in a work zone on a bicycle by Howell

Howell — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:09:52 +0000

It is possible, Jake. A few scenarios that come to mind are loud noises and flying debris from heavy machinery, saws or compressed-air wands. I could see how those might be a concern. Wouldn’t those be a serious liability for CDOT or contractors to consider due to the risk they would have for causing damage to vehicles, as well? Any machinery could be stopped momentarily, though, to allow for someone to pass through, don’t you think? Bonnie didn’t say she encountered dangerous conditions on the way through, but I’ll ask her to see what kind of conditions she encountered. Good question.

Comment on Resisting a discriminatory roadblock in a work zone on a bicycle by Jake

Jake — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:28:12 +0000

Is it possible that the danger of being on a bike was greater than being in a car and thats why they wanted to keep Bonnie from going through by herself?

Comment on Leash-free dogs are legal in Horse Gulch, but control them, and please pick up your dog’s shit by Howell

Howell — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:48:13 +0000

You are welcome, Schoff. I figured there’s at least a few people that wanted to know. Plus the people in charge of writing tickets as enforcement for the City’s leash laws were uncertain about the jurisdiction of Horse Gulch, and now they know.

Comment on Leash-free dogs are legal in Horse Gulch, but control them, and please pick up your dog’s shit by Brian Schoff

Brian Schoff — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:08:28 +0000

Good to know. Thanks for researching that Adam. I was indeed in the right when a biker bitched me out for having the dogs off leash in the Gulch. And thanks for the reminder for dog owners to clean up their dog’s pieces of feces.

Comment on Petition against US 550/ Bridge to Nowhere connection by Howell

Howell — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:01:43 +0000

A logical route would not include the removal of 30 million + tons of dirt, the removal of a mesa top, the etching of solar-deficient road in a man-made canyon and the slew of environmental view-shed disturbances that the road would create. It’s slated to be a gargantuan eyesore on the rural landscape. What exists was done effectively, but without regard for long-term planning or respect for the landscape as a place. The mass altering of topographical features in the name of traffic-flow efficiency has got to be confronted with resistance.
As for its ability to serve the community long into the future, the jury is still out. The current twelve to twenty cars a day is a minute demographic of our community. It will be a lot more useful with a Wilson Gulch extension to the hospital.

Comment on Petition against US 550/ Bridge to Nowhere connection by Andy

Andy — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:18:28 +0000

Point well made but it is there and the most logical direct route to a 550 connection is CDOTs original plan. Let’s get over it and get it done. As far as road projects go…it is nicely done and will serve the community well long into the future.