Speed enforcement cameras to go online Tuesday in Pueblo’s Interstate 25 bridge construction work zone

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Increased speed enforcement begins Tuesday on I-25 through the project in which crews are replacing five bridges at the US 50 East interchange.

But you won't see law enforcement officers on duty there.

Instead, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has installed four sets of cameras to monitor speeds along a stretch of nearly two miles between 13th and 29th Streets.

CDOT says speeding is "an issue" in the zone but couldn't provide specific numbers on how often it occurs.

The agency said that the Pueblo Police Department, not the Colorado State Patrol, has been conducting speed enforcement in the zone, and the only available data is that officers issued 20 speeding tickets from February through May.

However, CDOT said that because of the narrow and changing work zone, there are no safe areas for officers to monitor traffic speeds and pull over violators.

The cameras don't work like red light cameras on city streets, which activate when drivers run a red light.

Instead, the cameras will monitor all traffic through the zone by recording license plate numbers, and determining a vehicle's average speed through the zone.

The first month will be a grace period during which violators will receive warnings in the mail; after that, speeders will receive $75 citations.

CDOT said that the cameras will remain in operation only for the remainder of the construction period, which is scheduled to end next summer.

The agency also said that it has used the cameras in other work zones and is satisfied with their operation.