Shoup Rd. flood control project set in Black Forest

Drivers tired of being unable to drive through Shoup Road because of flooding will get relief from a project planned by El Paso County.

County Engineer Andre Brackin said work begins later this month in a low-lying section of the road near the Glenridge Lane intersection. The area has been prone to flash floods since last summer’s wildfire in town.

Brackin said a failed culvert under the road will be replaced by three new culverts. He said the project includes cleanup and removal of debris at the site.

“This is the area I’m most concerned about because of the possibility of an accident happening,” he said.

The county recently finished a drainage project nearby on Casey Lane, south of Shoup Road. Both projects, Brackin said, cost $1 million and are financed by the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority fund.

Brackin said the next drainage project is replacing culverts on Black Forest Road. north of Shoup Road. He said that project should start this winter.

“I hesitate to say we’re caught up,” Brackin said about the need for more drainage improvements. “We have a lot more to do to make things better. But flooding shouldn’t be as bad now because we’ve cleaned out a lot of ditches and culverts since the fire.”