Pre-construction Activity Starts Surrounding I-25/Cimarron Interchange

Colorado Springs – Over the next few weeks, travelers along Interstate-25 will start to see some pre-construction activity in the area surrounding the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT’s) upcoming I-25/Cimarron Interchange Design-Build Project.

“While this work does not mean the beginning of the interchange reconstruction itself, this pre-construction activity will be noticeable,” said Dave Watt, CDOT Project Director.

Crews have already begun survey and utility relocation work on the west side of I-25. On Monday, April 20, weather permitting, they will start soil testing along the shoulders of the new southbound I-25 off-ramp to Cimarron. Initially, this work will not impact traffic, but within the next few weeks, it will require short-term shoulder or lane closures on I-25 and Cimarron.

Crews also will begin removing vegetation and invasive tree species (clearing and grubbing) in coordination with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “This work along the west side of I-25 will be most noticeable,” added Watt. “Clearing and grubbing is a necessary early step to set the stage for the Fountain Creek restoration, Midland Trail improvements and to facilitate earthwork along the west side of I-25. All this preliminary work represents a good and critical first step toward construction of this important transportation asset,” said Watt.

The design/build team selected by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is Kraemer North America (Kraemer) and Tsiouvaras Simmons Holderness (TSH). The team, selected after a lengthy stakeholder input and procurement process, has been issued a Notice to Proceed and design engineering is underway.  The official start of the project will be following a

public open house and groundbreaking later this spring. The design-build team will complete as much work as possible prior to impacting traffic along I-25 in early 2016. One of the requirements of CDOT and project stakeholders is that the project be operationally complete by December 1, 2017.

Background: The I-25/Cimarron Street (US 24) Interchange Design-Build project is the second largest highway construction project in the Pikes Peak region since the reconstruction of I-25, known as COSMIX (Colorado Springs Metropolitan Expansion) was completed in 2008. More than 150,000 vehicles travel through the interchange daily, making it one of the region’s busiest.  The interchange is of high significance to the state because it is a primary entryway to downtown Colorado Springs, the historic Westside communities and US 24 west.

The project limits: The planned upgrades include rebuilding the I-25 interchange between Colorado Avenue on the north and South Nevada Avenue to the south. The US 24 project boundaries are between 8th Street on the west and the Union Pacific-BNSF railroads joint line/Cimarron Street Bridge to the east.  

Improvements are intended to provide enhanced operations, correct existing safety and design deficiencies, and to serve the anticipated short- and long-term travel demands in this area.  When complete, this will be a high-functioning interchange that safely handles more vehicles and enhances multi-modal travel for those using I-25, US 24/Cimarron Street and the trail system along Monument and Fountain creeks.

The project will:

• Reconstruct I-25 to provide improved highway alignment and improved ramps and acceleration and deceleration lanes and shoulders, for better operations and safety on I-25;
• Reconstruct I-25 bridge structures;
• Enhance interchange traffic flow and safety operations;
• Provide better trail connections, improved water quality and aesthetic enhancements.