Colorado Springs updating 2001 transportation master plan to reflect current, future needs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- City officials are wrapping up a two-year process of revising their master plan to manage transportation needs and projects through 2045.

The City Council heard a presentation from city planners during its Monday work session.

Planners began updating their plan in 2020 after realizing that extensive growth and changes in modes of transportation -- including the increased use of Uber and other ride-sharing services, buses, bicycles and scooters -- made the plan outdated.

Officials are soliciting public feedback and using a consultant to determine which areas of the city have the highest priority for projects to ease congestion and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and those who use other forms of transportation.

"The Fillmore Street/Nevada Avenue intersection, the Platte Avenue corridor and Marksheffel Road have some of the biggest needs we've learned of," said Tim Roberts, program manager for transportation planning. "We've identified 29 corridors so far."

The plan also will include city trails which are used for commuting by many cyclists; incorporate possible future rail lines; and more tourists expected to visit the area, particularly downtown.

Councilman Wayne Williams said that he'd like to see the plan have a greater focus on transportation mobility.

"I think this is a glaring omission that needs to be added, because if you ask someone and you say (that) it's always going to be crappy for you, but it's going to be reliably crappy, that is not what they think is a good transportation plan," he said.

Councilman Dave Donelson questioned some of the plan's emphasis on bus service and other transit services.

"I worry that we don't focus enough on the reality and we might focus too much on things that we desire to have," he said. "With our terrain and weather, cars are the most convenient form of transportation. That's what we need to concentrate on."

Councilman Bill Murray is skeptical that the revised plan will accurately account for future growth.

"We're replacing our downtown transit center with another transit center a block down the street," he said. "Is this the best way to improve transportation. I don't see anything in here about Marksheffel Road or Banning Lewis Parkway."

City planners expect to have the updated plan ready for a council vote this fall.

In other business, the council informally decided to proceed with a campaign asking voters in November to approve a 10-year extension of the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority sales tax; the tax is considered essential to funding a $60 million widening of Marksheffel Road between Dublin Boulevard and North Carefree Circle.

Murray suggested that instead of seeking the extension, local leaders should ask voters to increase the tax to two cents.

"In this pandemic, everything costs more and it takes longer to get things done," he said. "With all of the needs we have, this is the best time to raise the tax. I know that most people don't like tax increases, but if we don't do it now, these projects are going to cost a lot more later on."

Several of Murray's comrades rejected that suggestion.

"If we do that, it could fail like the parks tax did last year," said Councilwoman Nancy Henjum. "We're better off asking for an extension."

Look at the full agenda here.

Watch the work session below:

For more information about the transportation master plan, visit: https://coloradosprings.gov/project/connectcos.