UPDATE: Next phase of Powers Boulevard extension building bridges through Flying Horse area of north Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Many residents of the upscale Flying Horse neighborhood are seeing major construction there for the first time since the first houses were built around 2005.

Three of four planned bridges are taking shape, under which Powers Boulevard traffic will eventually extend north from the Highway 83 interchange, through part of the original Flying Horse golf course, and under the new Voyager Parkway bridge.

The Voyager bridge, completed two years ago, connects to the already-finished west end of the Powers extension to Interstate 25.

Crews have erected the first pillars on the bridge under Flying Horse Club Drive, wedged between a row of homes and the Classic Homes parking lot.

West of that bridge, preliminary work has begun on a pedestrian bridge that will connect to the golf course.

Construction of a third bridge on Ridgeline Drive has cut that street in half, closing it at both ends and requiring detours.

A fourth bridge over Black Squirrel Creek -- yet to be built -- will be the largest of the overall Powers extension.

As KRDO 13's The Road Warrior reported earlier this week, the project includes redesigning the Powers/Highway 83 interchange to the south.

Gayle Sturdivant, deputy public works director for Colorado Springs, said the bridges—after completion—will prevent any disruption to traffic through Flying Horse.

"It helps us advance the city bridges so there's less disruption to the neighborhood when mainline construction starts," she explained. "And the construction contractor will be able to go underneath them. So, they're staying off the local roads during construction in the future."

Officials have planned the Powers extension for decades, so many Flying Horse neighbors have expected it; but some worry about how much noise will be produced by future traffic.

"We're told that the level of noise will not be disturbing to the community," said Priscilla Kennedy. "I question that. I'm not sure. My question to the builders is, once the road is completed, will they do another noise assessment?"

Some of the earth mounds formed by construction crews are nearly as high as the roofs of some homes.

City officials expect the extension work to continue through 2030, at a total cost of $140 million.