Construction on I-25 through Pueblo starts this summer

Interstate 25 through Pueblo is getting a major facelift starting this summer.

The Colorado Department of Transportation organized an open house Wednesday at the Pueblo Convention Center to answer questions about a $69 million construction project that will include widening two bridges between City Center Drive and Ilex Street.

Joe DeHeart, resident engineer at CDOT, said construction crews will be building an acceleration and deceleration lane from City Center Drive to Ilex, both northbound and southbound.

Additionally, four bridges will be repaired: bridges on northbound I-25 over US 50 Business, I-25 over Indiana Avenue, US 50 Business over the Arkansas River and on Northern Avenue and Mesa Avenue over I-25.

Some of the other construction projects happening over the next two years include:

-Softening curves to improve safety and visibility

-Installing a noise wall near City Center Drive

-Feature aesthetics on bridges and walls

DeHeart said two lanes of traffic in each direction will remain open during the day, with some lane closures expected at night.