The Mancos Town Board approved a $75,000 grant last week that will make crossing U.S. 160 a bit safer.
The money must be matched 80/20 percent. In other words, Mancos must pay around $18,000 for a $94,459 project that will improve pedestrian safety at U.S. 160 and Beech Street.
This project has been a priority of the Mancos community and the board for several years and has been discussed at length. Currently, there is only one location to cross U.S. 160 - at its intersection with Colorado 184.
The grant will pay for a solar-powered flashing beacon and pedestrian refuge at U.S. 160 and Beech Street to warn motorists when there are pedestrians.
"This is a much needed improvement," said Mancos Administrator Andrea Phillips. "Right now, there is only one safe place to cross, but people still cross near Beech Street, and they just run in front of oncoming traffic."
Phillips said a high density of residents, stores and the nearby school make the crossing a necessity at Beech Street.
The grant is paid through the Colorado Department of Transportation.
"We are hoping it will provide a nice, safe way to cross. The board is really excited about that," Phillips said.
The next step is to enter into intergovernmental agreement with CDOT and do the design work. Phillips said she hopes that construction and installation should happen next spring or summer.
Board members voted in favor last Wednesday and approved the grant.
Also Wednesday, town board trustees heard from residents during public comment that they would like to have the park use organic weed killer. Board members discussed the subject at length earlier this month, but decided after much debate to use the weed-and-feed application this fall and do more research on organic methods over the winter. The board told the residents that they would look into the subject and maybe take direction from other towns and see how they handle their weeds.
A quick call placed to Dolores found that they also use a weed-and-feed application in the spring.
Board members also made a proclamation last week for National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, which is in the month of November.
