CO 21 Powers Blvd. & Research Parkway Interchange Construction
Colorado Springs celebrates the new Colorado Highway 21 (Powers Boulevard) and Research Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
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 Colorado Highway 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 attended the event.
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 single lane closures and lane shift on CO 21 between Woodmen Road and Briargate Parkway in the coming weeks.
In a major milestone for interchange reconstruction, CDOT has set girders on the new Powers Boulevard (CO21) bridge over Research Parkway. Crews set sixteen total girders across the new bridge during two nighttime operations last week, see pictures and time lapse video below. Future operations for bridge construction include deck panel construction, pouring the new concrete deck and tying-in the new roadway to the bridge. Once completed the new Powers Boulevard bridge will increase traffic flow and allow free-flowing turns to and from Research Parkway. This project is part of CDOT’s on-going effort to improve interchanges along the corridor.
Project Complete!
The Colorado Department of Transportation is moving quickly to put stimulus funding to work in southeastern Colorado. Along with contractor partner Kraemer North America, CDOT will begin work on June 24 to improve the safety and accessibility of Powers Boulevard/Colorado Highway 21 between Mile Points 149 and 151 at Research Parkway.
Work will consist of replacing the current at-grade intersection with an innovative Diverging Diamond Interchange and constructing an overpass for Powers Boulevard/ Colorado Highway 21 traffic to move continuously through the intersection over Research Parkway (pictured below). 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.
Project Facts
- Cost: $42 Million
- Contractor: Kraemer North American
- Timeline: May - November 2022
- Location: Powers Boulevard (CO 21) at Research Parkway in El Paso County
Powers Blvd. & Research Pkwy Bridge Rendering
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Powers Blvd. & Research Pkwy (Aerial) DDI Rendering
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Project Benefits:
The new Diverging Diamond Interchange will increase the flow of traffic by allowing free-flowing turns when entering and exiting Powers Boulevard/Colorado Highway 21 from Research Parkway by eliminating left turns against oncoming traffic and reducing the number of traffic signals.
How to Drive a DDI
CDOT Puts Stimulus Funding to Work for Coloradoans
Work Schedule
- Work is scheduled to begin June 2021 and be completed by Fall 2022.
