COVID Relief Stimulus Funding Moves Top Priority Project Forward
News Release
El Paso County — Colorado Department of Transportation is moving quickly to put stimulus funding to work in southeastern Colorado. CDOT recently received approval from the Colorado Transportation Commission for a plan to spend $134 million in federal stimulus for transportation. Southeast Colorado will receive $25.5 million of the stimulus funding, which will be invested in the “ready to construct” CO 21 and Research Parkway Interchange in El Paso County.
"Thanks to good planning and strong partnerships between the state and local communities, we are able to move quickly and advance this project," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. "Better safety and mobility will help all types of travelers in this rapidly-growing area, and the federal stimulus dollars that make this work possible now will also free up resources to go towards other priorities throughout the region."
The Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments will add their share of $8.5 million in sub allocated stimulus funds to the area’s highest priority project along with CDOT’s $17 million. “PPACG is thrilled to partner with CDOT on this critical project. Improving this area of Powers and Research will greatly enhance safety and mobility there, and provide much-needed economic stimulus during this challenging time,” explained Andrew Gunning, Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Executive Director.
The CO 21 and Research Parkway Interchange Project constructs a grade-separated interchange to improve the safety and mobility of the interchange at Powers Blvd (CO 21) and Research Parkway. The work zone will be located between Mile Points 149 and 151 on CO 21 and on Research Parkway between Scarborogh Drive and Cross Creek Drive. In addition to building the new Diverging Diamond Interchange structure, with Powers Boulevard going over Research Parkway, the project will include new pavement to three miles of CO 21 and add pedestrian/bicycle enhancements to improve access to schools in the area. The project is in response to the growth in the northeastern area of Colorado Springs along the Powers Boulevard corridor and is part of CDOT’s on-going effort to improve interchanges along the corridor.
The environmental assessment and the design for the project are complete. CDOT plans to start construction summer 2021, thanks to the COVID stimulus funding. The project, originally planned to start in the summer of 2020, was put on hold due to a lack of funding following the economic impact of the global pandemic.
The current configuration of the intersection sees excessive vehicle wait times, inadequate left turn lanes, excessive congestion and lack of multimodal options, such as bicycle lanes. The DDI will increase capacity in and around the interchange, improve safety by reducing possible conflict points, improve riding surface and add multimodal options.
For more information:
CDOT Puts Stimulus Funding to Work for Coloradoans
Covid-19
Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for all of us, particularly for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, CDOT maintenance and construction crews follow social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO by practicing social distancing and wearing face masks. As traffic returns to normal levels, motorists must drive cautiously and heed the speed limit so all of us can return home safely.
Whole System. Whole Safety.
In early 2019, CDOT announced its Whole System—Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative takes a systematic, statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission — to get everyone home safely
About CDOT
CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Governor Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.
