Local construction projects increase as spring approaches
A pair of infrastructure projects in Colorado Springs will replace a bridge and close several lanes of Interstate 25 overnight.
The Colorado Department of Transportation will move two electronic message signs to different locations Tuesday night along the interstate just south of Cimarron Street, part of the next phase in the ongoing interchange improvement project.
One northbound lane and two southbound lanes will close from 9 p.m. Tuesday until 5 a.m. Wednesday.
Workers installed new support posts for the signs last week.
Mike Ingram, the project’s senior manager, said a six-man crew will use heavy equipment to move the signs.
“Nighttime traffic is a particular concern,” he said. “We have to keep on our toes. The other thing is unusual weather conditions. If the wind should pick up, for example, we’ll postpone the work.”
Ingram said drivers should expect more lane closures in the area during the next few months as workers narrow lanes, install barriers and reduce the speed limit for future traffic realignments.
Meanwhile, on the city’s west side, workers have started a $1 million project to replace an aging bridge on a block of Rockrimmon Boulevard between Allegheny and Grey Eagle drives.
Traffic is reduced to a lane in each direction, and the bridge will close entirely between March 17 and March 28.
Lane closures will continue for a month after that to complete work on the 40-year-old structure.
Ryan Phipps, a city engineer, said the new bridge will withstand a 100-year flood instead of a 20-year flood, handle heavier traffic loads and include a sidewalk over the bridge.
“By closing the bridge during spring break for Academy School District 20, we hope to alleviate some of the impact,” he said. “We’ll also work 24-hour days to get as much done as quickly as possible.”
Phipps said detours around the bridge should add less than five minutes of travel time for drivers.
Otis Williams, who lives across the street from the bridge, said the work is loud but tolerable.
“The building of this is great because that bridge is crumbling,” he said. “When they said they were going to do it, we were kind of wondering when they were going to start. It’s a good thing that they’re starting this year.”
The city will host an open house to inform people about the project. It’s scheduled for March 10, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at Eagleview Middle School, 1325 Vindicator Drive.
For a list of alternate routes around the bridge construction, visit: http://mail.npgco.com/service/home/~/?auth=co&loc=en_US&id=183200&part=2
