Changes on the way for “No Man’s Land”

Changes are on the way to a busy avenue in southern Colorado.

El Paso County, the city of Colorado Springs, the city of Manitou Springs and the Colorado Department of Transportation are working together on the Westside Avenue Action Plan. It is meant to revamp Colorado Avenue/Manitou Avenue between 31st Street and Highway 24, the area commonly known as “No Man’s Land.”

“It has become very badly in need of updating, it’s become in need of very significant capacity and safety improvements on the avenue itself to accommodate more vehicle traffic, to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian traffic,” said Dave Rose, chief public information officer for El Paso County.

The plan includes moving utility lines, road improvements, new sidewalks and drainage improvements. It could possibly include reducing the size of Colorado Avenue.

City leaders plan to have a final design to show stakeholders later this year and for work to begin next year.

The estimated cost is between $15 million and $20 million. About $12 million are expected to come from the voter-approved PPRTA tax.