Colorado Highway 21 (Powers Boulevard) and Research Parkway new Diverging Diamond Interchange opening to traffic this week

Travel Advisory

September 13, 2022 - Southeastern Colorado - Crews will reinstate through access on Research Parkway under the new Colorado Highway 21 bridge and remove the current hook ramps north and south of the interchange

Colorado Springs — The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor partner Kraemer North America have reached major project milestone and will open the new interchange Wednesday morning. Crews will reinstate through access on Research Parkway under the new Colorado Highway 21 bridge and remove the current hook ramps north and south of the interchange. The new interchange at CO 21 and Research Parkway replaces the at-grade intersection with a new, innovative Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) and an overpass for CO 21 traffic to move continuously through the intersection over Research Parkway.

The DDI 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. CDOT’s video on how to drive a Diverging Diamond Interchange is available to view.

Crews will continue paving operations on CO 21 between Mile Points 149 and 151 in the coming weeks, requiring nighttime single lane closures.

To celebrate the new DDI being open to the public, state and local officials will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Community Celebration on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 10am at West Creek Park in Colorado Springs.

Overhead view of a diverging diamond interchange that have roads crisscrossing over one another in a diamond formation

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

Website: codot.gov/projects/co-21-research-parkway-interchange-study/construction
Email: [email protected]
Hotline: 720-507-6255
Sign up to receive weekly project updates here.

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:

Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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!