Innovative 8th Street/US 24 Quadrant Intersection Opens This Week

July 17, 2017 - Southeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 2 - Colorado Springs – Due to rain fall late last week, the new 8th Street Quadrant Intersection will open later this week. It was initially anticipated that the Quadrant Intersection would open tomorrow morning, but there is still critical work that needs to be completed before the intersection can open.

The exact opening date will be determined within the next couple of days.

Improvements to the 8th Street/US 24 Quadrant Intersection will accommodate traffic demands and reduce congestion-related accidents.

On opening day, about 1,300 vehicles will use the quadrant intersection in the evening peak hour, which equates to 13,000 to 15,000 vehicles per day. In 2035, about 1,870 vehicles will use the quadrant intersection in the evening peak hour, which equates to about 18,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day.

The new 8th Street/US 24 Quadrant Intersection will take some getting used to for motorists traveling in the area. Below is a description, along with a graphic (attached) to help illustrate this new, efficient route.

  • Motorists heading west on US 24 wishing to get to 8th Street can utilize the new Quadrant Intersection by turning left where the old Express Inn hotel was previously located, south of Acorn Gas Station. Once at 8th Street, there will be a new signalized intersection -- one designated left turn to southbound 8th Street, and one lane through/left turn/right turn.

  • Motorists heading north on 8th Street, wishing to get to US 24 need to utilize the new quadrant intersection by taking the free right turn at the intersection and then use the two designated right turn lanes to access eastbound US 24. Please keep in mind that motorists will not be able to turn right onto eastbound US 24 from northbound 8th Street during construction; watch for signage to direct you.

  • There will only be a single left turn lane from westbound US 24 to southbound 8th Street.

  • The new entrance into Acorn gas station will be open off of the new Quadrant Intersection. See dotted lines in graphic below. Access off of 8th Street remains open.  

The project team's approach maximizes the safety, capacity, and operation of the interchange and surrounding transportation network, while improving the capacity at US 24 and 8th Street.

All Media Personnel: The I-25/Cimarron project is an active construction area. Access on the project site is restricted unless accompanied by a Colorado Department of Transportation or Kraemer representative. Your safety is important to us so please coordinate access requests in advance with Michelle Peulen. A safe area for interviews, b-roll, etc., and a project team member will be designated for escort and will coordinate the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. We appreciate your cooperation. 

 

PROJECT INFORMATION: The $113 million I-25/Cimarron Interchange Design-Build Project involves rebuilding the I-25 interchange between Colorado Avenue on the north and South Nevada Avenue to the south, 8th Street on the west and the Cimarron Street over Fountain Creek bridge on 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. Substantial completion is planned for fall 2017.

For updated project information, visit https://www.codot.gov/projects/i25cimarronDB or call 719-302-6781. To be added to the database for receiving project updates by e-newsletter, send an email to: [email protected]

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