Sales-Tax-for-Streets project underway in Colorado Springs

Thursday’s stormy weather didn’t stop officials from starting the Sales-Tax-for-Streets project in Colorado Springs.

The first layer of asphalt went down around noon on the east end of Rockrimmon Boulevard.

This first step kicked off the five-year effort to spend $250 million collected from a voter-approved sales tax increase.

The city hopes the project will significantly reduce the number of potholes that have damaged vehicles and frustrated drivers.

“The good news is you’re going to see lots of paving activity this summer. The bad news is you’re going to see lots of paving activity this summer. And I ask folks to be patient,” said Mayor John Suthers. “I don’t normally like the smell of asphalt but today, given the circumstances, I’m kind of liking it.”

Improving city streets and roads has been a priority for Suthers since his mayoral campaign started almost two years ago.