Ground broken for CO 21 Powers Boulevard and Airport Road Interchange

News Release

July 29, 2024 - Southeastern Colorado - Elected officials and CDOT leaders gathered July 25 for a ceremonial groundbreaking

Pueblo — Elected officials and Colorado Department of Transportation leaders gathered Thursday on the northeast corner of Colorado Highway 21 Powers Boulevard and Airport Road to break ground on a Diverging Diamond Interchange Project.

“With more than 50,000 vehicles traveling Powers Boulevard each day here at Airport Road, along with the Powers Corridor planning project, the need for an interchange at this location was indicated and was added to our 10-year priority project list." CDOT Region 2 Transportation Director Shane Ferguson said, "this diverging diamond interchange will address congestion, improve safety and add multimodal facilities that will allow for a safer and more comfortable travel experience for cars, pedestrians and cyclists."

The new Interchange will be constructed just north and east of the existing signalized intersection at CO 21 Powers Boulevard and Airport Road. Work includes bridge and ramp construction, placing embankment, concrete paving, overhead sign structure installation, new traffic signal systems and permanent water quality ponds.

"In 2019, CDOT embarked on an ambitious effort to set transportation plans and priorities - the 10-Year Strategic Plan and that plan was adopted in 2020 and updated annually. Constructing the Powers Boulevard and Airport Road Interchange is an important part of this plan," said District 9 Colorado Transportation Commissioner Hannah Parsons.

WW Clyde Construction is the prime contractor for the $46 million project.

"Projects like this support the economy and economic development and they improve peoples’ lives by allowing them to get where they want to go safely and efficiently," said Colorado Division Director of the Federal Highway Administration John Cater.

Colorado Springs City Council President Randy Helms commented, "what a great day to gather and celebrate the start of a project linking drivers to a major east-west corridor and connecting Peterson Space Force Base to the great city of Colorado Springs."

A DDI crosses traffic to the opposite side of the road across an interchange so vehicles have unimpeded movement onto ramps. Left-turn movements which are a challenge with standard four-way interchanges are eliminated, reducing delays, conflict points and wrong-way entry to ramps. This is the third DDI in the Pikes Peak region.

Colorado State Representative Regina English declared, "as your state representative, one of my fundamental priorities is ensuring public safety across all aspects of our community. Today, I want to emphasize a crucial component of that safety - our roadways, particularly Powers Boulevard."

The project is expected to be complete in late 2026.

WW Clyde Project Manager Brooke Miller, WW Clyde Area Manager Cameron Thompson, CDOT Region 2 Transportation Director Shane Ferguson, Federal Highway Administration Area Director John Cater, District 9 Colorado Transportation Commissioner Hannah Parsons, Peterson Space Force Base Delta 1 Commander Colonel Ken Klock, Colorado Springs City Council President Randy Helms and Colorado State Representative Regina English officially break ground on the Colorado Highway 21 Powers Boulevard and Airport Road Diverging Diamond Interchange Project.
WW Clyde Project Manager Brooke Miller, WW Clyde Area Manager Cameron Thompson, CDOT Region 2 Transportation Director Shane Ferguson, Federal Highway Administration Area Director John Cater, District 9 Colorado Transportation Commissioner Hannah Parsons, Peterson Space Force Base Delta 1 Commander Colonel Ken Klock, Colorado Springs City Council President Randy Helms and Colorado State Representative Regina English officially break ground on the Colorado Highway 21 Powers Boulevard and Airport Road Diverging Diamond Interchange Project.
Photo courtesy of Josh Russell, WW Clyde.

Dirt work in preparation of the CO 21 Powers Boulevard and Airport Road Diverging Diamond Interchange
Dirt work in preparation of the CO 21 Powers Boulevard and Airport Road Diverging Diamond Interchange.

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

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!

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