Road project between Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs almost finished

Merchants and drivers in the area called No Man’s Land, between Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, hope they’re finally seeing light at the end of their tunnel.

They’ve endured two and a half years of the Westside Avenue Action Plan, a $30 million reconstruction of the corridor where Colorado and Manitou avenues meet.

The project in the long-neglected area has been delayed several times but is now scheduled for completion by the end of September.

On Friday, officials said they expect to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony in October to celebrate the end of the project.

Upgrades include street paving, new sidewalks and curbs, new street lights, the removal of overhead utility lines and a new bridge over Fountain Creek.

Residents have mixed feelings about whether the project is worth the cost and the wait.

“It’s at least starting to look nicer,” said Joie Leigh. “But I ride the bus and some bus stops are blocked. Some buses stop and some don’t.”

“I think they did a great job,” said Sherry Overs. “When you consider the weather, flooding, the rough terrain and all the stuff they kept finding underground.”

Work continues at the east end of the project zone.