CDOT Postpones CO 96 (Lincoln Street) Safety Project

SOUTHEAST COLORADO—CDOT has postponed work on the Colorado Highway 96 (Lincoln Street) project, which will add a center turn lane between Abriendo Avenue and Orman Avenue. This work also will replace the signals at Abriendo Avenue and Lincoln Street, as well as the Lincoln Street signals at Orman Avenue and Evans Avenue.

"Combining the planned signal replacement with the safety project of widening Lincoln was an opportunity to lower the total construction costs, ultimately saving taxpayers dollars," explained Karen Rowe, regional transportation director for CDOT's Southeast Colorado region.

"CDOT believes the center turn lane and reduction in lane width will improve safety and reduce speed on the corridor, and is a good project for the traveling public. Because of the concerns raised, we will delay this project to a later date," Rowe said. "There are numerous other projects in the region the funding can be used to improve safety, such as the I-25 cable rail installation between Pueblo and Colorado Springs."

Construction on the Lincoln Street project was scheduled to begin in 2019. CDOT will use existing right of way on both sides of Lincoln Street to construct the turning lane. The project design has been completed, but construction will be postponed. The signal replacements and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps at Abriendo, Orman and Evans avenues along Lincoln Street will be upgraded to current standards and will advertise for bid in late 2018.