Third construction project this year slows traffic on Las Vegas Street in south Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- First, it was the final stages of the Circle Drive bridge replacement project; then it was the start of building a new railroad crossing under the MLK Bypass to Hancock Expressway.

Now, a project in front of Colorado Springs Utilities' (CSU) wastewater treatment facility is causing traffic impacts for drivers along Las Vegas Street.

The street is a mostly narrow two-lane corridor between Nevada Avenue and Highway 85/87 that borders the south city limits and the El Paso County boundary.

CSU is in the second month of a $30 million project to make upgrades at the facility, and work will continue into next year.

Construction requires closing the eastbound lane beside the facility, and traffic in both directions must alternate in using the westbound lane; officials have installed temporary traffic signals at each end of the work zone to guide traffic.

The new traffic alignment results in occasional long backups, especially during the day and rush hour periods.

During peak congestion, flaggers are on duty to prevent backups onto the Royer Street train crossing -- which is expected to close next month.

Betsy Westerfield didn't hear about the traffic change on Las Vegas and was about to bike through the work zone until she learned that Union Boulevard doesn't connect there.

"Today I went this way just because I was trying to figure out a way that didn't have as many hills because I'm feeling kind of tired this morning," she explained. "It's a lot more traffic than I was expecting, for sure. 

CSU is replacing three 50-year-old junction boxes that direct wastewater into the facility.

A utility spokesperson said that upgrading this infrastructure will improve reliability, reduce the risk of emergency repairs, and support long-term system performance.

Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.