Bridge construction project underway along key traffic corridor in south Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Work is gearing up on a two-year, $40 million project to demolish four old bridges on the south end of Circle Drive and replace them with new bridges.

The existing two-lane bridges opened in 1963 and span Fountain Creek, Hancock Expressway, Las Vegas Street, two railroad tracks and a major utility line.

Officials say that the project will happen in phases, starting with the construction of the two new eastbound bridges, followed by tearing down the existing eastbound bridges and shifting traffic to the new structures.

Workers will then demolish the old westbound bridges after the building the replacement infrastructure.

The project also requires a detour on the Pikes Peak Greenway trail around the work zone; crews have already created the alternate path from the trail just north of the bridge, to Janitell Road; trail users will have to travel down that road to reconnect to the trail.

Preliminary work on the project began several weeks ago.

"One of the biggest things that we heard from the community early on in the project, was the connection for non-motorized transportation," said project manager Ryan Phillips. "Right now, the sidewalks are really narrow -- a foot-and-a-half, two feet wide. With the new project, there will be ten-foot-wide sidewalks on either side."

Many of the more than 200 residents of a senior citizen mobile home park at the bottom of the Circle Drive hill are uneasy about the project.

“Our biggest concern, one entrance in and out if we need to evacuate for any reason," said park manager Claudia Dodge. "So, we’re a little concerned about that. Construction has blocked off another in-and-out point for us, but we don't mind that because it reduces the amount of traffic driving through the park seeking a shortcut. We also are trying to get the traffic signal at the Janitell intersection fixed because it doesn't allow departig vehicles to turn left onto Circle or go straight on Janitell."

On Monday afternoon, the signal was working properly.

Sommer Adams said that she drives across the bridge often; her daughter works at a McDonald's restaurant in the area.

“In the long run, I think it will be better for the infrastructure of the city, and the safety, of course," she said. "You know, we all worry about the things that are going on lately, with the bridge collapse (on Interstate 25 north of Pueblo). So, anything that makes it safer makes me feel better.”

The project's cost is financed with a sales tax levied by the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, which has considered the bridge replacement a high priority for several years.