Traffic Impacts this Weekend on Highway 115 at Gate 6

May 17, 2012 - Southeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 2 - EL PASO COUNTY – As part of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) State Highway (SH) 115 – Gate 6 project, traffic will be transitioning from the existing road segment onto a newly constructed section, requiring lane reductions through the area.

Beginning on Friday, May 18, at 4 p.m., SH 115 will be reduced to a single lane in each direction through the Gate 6 area.  It will remain in this configuration through Monday, May 21 at 5 a.m.  Drivers should expect extensive traffic delays, including occasional traffic stops, through this area and consider using alternate routes, such as Interstate 25.

Gate 6 also will be closed during this time period, requiring Fort Carson personnel to use alternate gates.

This weekend’s closure is part of a project to improve traffic movements along SH 115 and in and out of Fort Carson.  It consists of reconstructing and widening approximately 1 ¼ mile of the highway between Gate 5 and Rock Creek Bridge, including new acceleration and deceleration lanes, turn lanes, asphalt paving, new guardrails and drainage improvements.  County roads adjacent to SH 115 also are being reconstructed to connect to the highway’s new alignment.

Project hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The speed through the work zone is 40 mph.  Traffic impacts generally are minimal, with lane shifts on SH 115, and shoulder closures through the work area.  However, traffic may need to be stopped occasionally for various construction activities.

December 2012

“This project is not only to improve safety but also to enhance the movement of traffic through a very busy area,” says CDOT Project Engineer Wayne Pittman.  “Adding traffic lanes and accel and decel lanes, it’ll greatly improve the merging capabilities along Highway 115.  Increased traffic in this area has intensified the conflict between through traffic, turning traffic and merging traffic.”

The project is scheduled for completion in December 2012.

Tezak Heavy Equipment Co. Inc. of Caňon City, CO is the contractor for the $6 million project.

Updated information regarding traffic impacts on this or other CDOT projects is available at www.cotrip.org 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.