Damaged section of Manitou Ave. requires major repairs

The Colorado Department of Transportation said on Tuesday that a half-mile of a flood-damaged road in Manitou Springs could cost $1.5 million and take as long as three months to repair.

The affected road is the west end of Manitou Avenue between Serpentine Drive and U.S. 24. The road also is known as Old Highway 24.

CDOT said two segments of the road, each between 30 to 40 feet long and from 200 to 300 feet apart, were washed out. Approximately 4,500 vehicles use the road daily, CDOT said.

CDOT is seeking federal emergency funds to begin repairs as soon as possible. The nearby Fountain Creek Bridge also requires minor repairs, CDOT said. The agency will devise a reconstruction plan and schedule once it acquires funding.

While the road is closed, drivers can use U.S. 24 as the detour route, and use Serpentine Drive for access between the two roadways.

In a related matter, local leaders confirmed that the state has allocated $450,000 for debris cleanup and flood control in the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest burn zones.