Colorado Springs crews hasten work on roads with less people outside

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Construction crews in Colorado Springs are taking advantage of fewer people on the streets to hasten their road work.

Corey Farkas, the public works operations manager, says the warm weather and social distancing has helped them work faster.

"Having less people on the street is absolutely beneficial," he said. "It just helps them pick up the pace a little bit. It's one less thing to worry about when you're in the right of way."

Construction work for critical infrastructure such as roads and low-income housing are considered "essential" under the state's executive orders.

However, workers are not exempt from social distancing and increased cleaning guidelines.

"We do have all of our contractors and in-house folks out working in the field, practicing social distancing, as well as utilizing masks," Farkas said.

City crews will begin this year's 2C-funded road repairs next week. Farkas said those projects will consume most of the workers' summer.

And in 2021, the second phase of the 2C tax will take effect, with crews paving roads and filling potholes.

"50 percent of that program was designed in the residential areas as well as some collector and arteriole roadways as well to finish off the work that we started with 2C," Farkas said.