Colorado Springs celebrates the new Colorado Highway 21 (Powers Boulevard) and Research Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

News Release

September 29, 2022 - Southeastern Colorado - This interchange now offers better safety and mobility for all types of travelers in this rapidly growing area

Colorado Springs — Governor Jared Polis along with representatives from CDOT, state and local officials gathered for the ceremonial ribbon cutting on the newly constructed Diverging Diamond Interchange at CO 21 and Research Parkway on Thursday. The ceremony celebrated the imminent completion of this priority infrastructure project which was funded by federal COVID-19 stimulus funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021. Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers as well as representatives from El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, Colorado Springs City Council, Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments and the Federal Highway Administration who were integral to this project spoke at the event.

CO 21 and Research Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

“I was excited to celebrate the ribbon cutting for Colorado Highway 21, Powers Boulevard & Research Parkway several months ahead of schedule. This completed project is an important part of a larger vision for the Colorado Springs area. Improving safety and mobility on Colorado roads is a priority for my administration and the Department of Transportation. That vision is woven into every project in the 10-year plan, and every day we get closer to making those improvements a reality,” said Governor Polis.

“As we grow, it’s vital that we improve and streamline the Powers corridor to handle that growth to provide folks with the ability to move around town safely and quickly,” said Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers. “This project, and others like it, will keep all of us moving safely and efficiently. It also showcases the great collaborative spirit in our region between the City, CDOT, El Paso County and the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments.”

“We regularly praise the good planning and strong partnerships between the state and local governments in this community, but the commitment that brought us to today deserves special attention,” explained CDOT Executive Director, Shoshana Lew. “From the CDOT perspective, we saw local partners step up in an extraordinary way to get this project moving at the first opportunity. Together, we were able to move quickly and stand together to get this project completed on an accelerated time table.”

The at-grade intersection has now been replaced with an innovative Diverging Diamond Interchange with a newly constructed overpass for CO 21 traffic to move continuously through the intersection over Research Parkway. The new Diverging Diamond Interchange increases the flow of traffic by allowing free-flowing turns when entering and exiting CO 21 from Research Parkway by eliminating left turns against oncoming traffic and reducing the number of traffic signals. To watch CDOT’s video on how to drive a Diverging Diamond Interchange visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PConmQy6QM 

This interchange now offers better safety and mobility for all types of travelers in this rapidly growing area, and while the diverging diamond configuration will seem most noticeable for cars and vehicular traffic, important bicyclist and pedestrian improvements will be especially helpful to the nearby schools.

Crews have opened the new interchange to its full configuration. Ongoing work until project completion includes paving five miles of new asphalt on CO 21 and adding safety and aesthetic improvements on both sides of the interchange. To safely perform these operations crews will require nighttime single lane closures on CO 21 between Woodmen Road and Briargate Parkway in the coming weeks.

CDOT invites Colorado Springs community members and other interested parties to visit the project’s website for background on the project and to view project milestones and progress photos. The project is expected to be fully complete in November.

Traffic Impacts

Motorists can expect the following impacts through completion:

  • Single lane closures will be in place in both directions of CO 21 between mile markers 149 and 151
  • All roadways will remain open through the duration of the project
  • Lane closures and other traffic notices are posted weekly on COtrip.org

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

To sign up to receive weekly project updates visit: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/MvOrUtp/signmeup.

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new FREE COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!