Safe passage

Could it be that Durango’s oft-talked-about yet elusive Camino Underpass is actually, well, coming to pass? The City of Durango announced this week that, in conjunction with its Winter Bike to Work Day After Party this Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Powerhouse, it will be hosting a kick-off for the Camino Crossing.

Can we get a hallelujah?

The project would take pedestrians and cyclists under Camino del Rio at 12th Street and connect them to the Animas River Trail. It has been on the books since at least 2020 after a series of accidents and close calls at the current HAWK Crossing raised serious safety concerns.

A feasibility study was conducted in 2020 followed by a design charrette (fancy word for public meeting) in 2021. Since then, however, the topic basically went, uh, underground. 

However, in December 2025, the Camino Crossing once again saw the light of day (sorry) when City Council approved the 2026 Capital Budget, which includes $325,000 in additional funding for the project design. City staff will be working with the design team throughout the year on this project and will be providing the community with updates as the design takes shape.

The design process will start with another charrette for stakeholder groups, city advisory boards and community members to collaborate with staff and the design consultant to conceptualize the design. There will be two additional public meetings after the design charrette to receive public input on the design.

The city estimated the underpass would cost about $3 million to construct in 2020 dollars. 

To find out more, attend the after party on Friday, which will be preceded by a bike parade from Buckley starting at 4ish. Festivities include beer from Carver’s and music from Stillhouse Junkies.