Interchange Project Set to Start on Highway 21
COLORADO SPRINGS – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) begins a bridge construction project next week that converts Powers Boulevard (State Highway 21) from an expressway to a four-lane freeway between Research Parkway and Old Ranch Road.
Work consists of building six bridges – two each at the Briargate and Union Boulevard intersections, and two at Pine Creek – allowing traffic on northbound and southbound Powers to travel unimpeded for about three miles. Construction also includes building four lanes, from just south of Briargate to just north of Pine Creek, connecting the existing roadway to the new highway segment.
The project gets underway on Monday, April 30. Work hours generally are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and Sundays as necessary. Most of the construction will take place outside of the existing traffic lanes but occasional lanes closures are possible. However, two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction during rush hours (6:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. & 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.). The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph through the work zone.
Girder installation over Briargate and Union will require up to 10 overnight closures of both streets this summer. Only one roadway will be closed at a time and a detour will be in place, allowing traffic to travel around the work zone. CDOT will send out information with additional information before this phase begins.
At all other times, two through lanes and the left turn lanes at Union and Briargate will remain open to traffic. Access for pedestrians and bicycles will continue through both interchanges
“This is first and foremost a safety project,” says CDOT Resident Engineer Mark Andrew. “The current configuration of Powers requires the use of traffic signals at Union and at Briargate. By eliminating those traffic stops for through traffic on Powers, it’ll greatly improve traffic flow through the area and, in turn, safety at both intersections, which have had their share of accidents.”
Between 2007 and 2011, 166 crashes* were reported – 77 at Union; 89 at Briargate.
The $11.2 million project, contracted to Edward Kraemer and Sons of Castle Rock, CO, is scheduled for completion in August 2012.
FASTER – Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery – is funding $846,000 of the project cost. Monies collected by the FASTER Safety Fund are used for construction, reconstruction, or maintenance projects that the Transportation Commission, or a county or municipality determine are needed to enhance the safety of a state highway, county road, or city street. Additional information is accessible at: www.coloradodot.info/projects/faster.
Updated information regarding traffic impacts on this or other CDOT projects is available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html or by calling 511. To receive project updates via e-mail, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner. The link takes you to a list of items you can subscribe to, including Southeast Colorado.
*Crash data for 2009 & 2011 remains preliminary since information continues to be gathered for both years.
