Options limited to reduce Fillmore Street congestion

The most effective solution to reducing traffic congestion along East Fillmore Street is one that Colorado Springs officials can’t afford.

Kathleen Krager, the city’s transportation manager, said widening the four-lane street requires buying out homes and businesses that are located close to the edge of the street.

“That’s not currently on any of our priority lists or plans,” she said. “For the time being, we’re all just going to have to be patient with Fillmore.”

Much of the congestion is on a 1.5-mile stretch of Fillmore between Cascade Avenue and Union Boulevard.

Krager said drivers will notice improved traffic flow when the nearby interchange project at Interstate 25 and Fillmore is completed next year. She said workers will adjust traffic signals to better synchronize travel through the area.

Chris Emery, an employee at Colorado Coffee Merchants, said she’d like to see Fillmore widened but has mixed feelings about the impact of traffic.

“Our loyal customers, the traffic doesn’t seem to affect them too much,” she said. “But as far as people wanting to stop in for a cup of coffee, the way that Fillmore is laid out can be kind of inconvenient.”

Rick Killday said he tries to avoid driving his vintage 1956 Chevy truck in Fillmore’s congestion.

“Back in the 70s, the 80s, even the 90s weren’t bad,” he said. “But boy, the (population) boom here, it’s really done it here.”