CDOT explains pothole plan for U.S. 24 in west Colorado Springs

The Colorado Department of Transportation agrees with many drivers — potholes on U.S. 24 between west Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs are the worst they’ve ever been.
“Weather and heavy traffic have really deteriorated that stretch of highway,” said Brad Bauer, a CDOT supervisor. “And when you consider it hasn’t been repaved in 15 years, it needs improvement.”

Drivers say they are tired of swerving on the busy highway to avoid potholes, especially with heavier traffic during summer.

The affected stretch of highway also has many cracks and splits that eventually become potholes — and grow larger.

“We have crews patching potholes day and night,” Bauer said. “Much of that stretch, we can’t close during the day. Traffic is just too heavy then.”

A more lasting solution begins later this month, with a 5-mile, $10 million project to repave the stretch of highway.

Dave Watt, a CDOT engineer, said the project includes milling, or grinding down, the top 2 inches of old pavement and replace it with new asphalt.

“We’re also going to [rehabilitate] five bridges,” he said. “We’re going to lengthen the westbound left turn lane at 21st Street to keep traffic from backing up into the through lanes, similar to what we just finished doing in the eastbound left turn lane at 31st Street. And we’re going to improve the intersection at 21st Street.”

Watt said the project is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

“The long-range plan is still to widen U.S. 24 to three lanes in that area,” he said. “But we don’t have the money for it right now.”