Fifth ramp meter set to go live along I-25 in Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Slowly but surely, the new ramp meters along Interstate 25 in Colorado Springs are being activated. The latest to go live are meters at the ramps from Fontanero and Fillmore streets.
Michelle Peulen with the Colorado Department of Transportation said each signal is different, therefore each one has to be installed in its own unique way.
“This particular ramp signal has several different kinds of sensors. We need to make sure that each of those censors is operating appropriately,” Peulen said.
After Wednesday, northbound I-25 and Fillmore will feature the fifth ramp meter to go live.
But the question now is how have they been working? Peulen said that right now, it’s still too early to tell if the lights will be a success or not.
“I think once we get all twelve of the signals operational and folks are used to the way they operate and they get kind of through that testing period where they are on continuously I think we will have a good idea of what the impact is on traffic,” she said.
Drivers using the new ramp meters had mixed feelings; some like the idea, but some don't.
Carly Kobasiar said, “I think during rush hour, the ramp meters are really helpful. They certainly help ease traffic and make the flow a little better.”
While Lisa Chavez added, “People don’t pay attention. When you get on the freeway, you are used to yielding into traffic. I think they are not going to be paying attention so they are going to be either on their phones, drinking coffee or they are not going to pay attention.”
But Peulen wants to remind people that these ramp meters are more of a preparation for the future.
“One of the things that CDOT has learned is that we cannot build ourselves out of congestion, we can’t continue to just keep adding lanes there isn’t enough real estate for that. So we have to look at innovative technological ways to improve mobility, improve safety with technology.”
Next week three more ramp meters will go live bringing the total to eight with four more yet to be installed.
