I-25 Operational Improvements Study | Fillmore Street to Garden of Gods Road

Design Study

Study Complete!

Increased traffic from community growth and business development has created the need for the Colorado Department of Transportation to initiate design and development of I-25 Auxiliary/Continuous Merge Lanes in Colorado Springs from the Fillmore Street to Garden of the Gods Road exits. Improvements are in accordance with the previously completed environmental assessment.

Location

Fillmore Street (Exit 145) and the Garden of the Gods Road (Exit 146) in Colorado Springs

i-25 fillmore to garden of the gods

Study Schedule

  • Technical Analysis and Preliminary Design: Summer 2021 – Fall 2021
  • Public Virtual Open House: Spring 2022
  • Final Design: Winter 2021 - Summer 2023

 Key Issues

  • Functionality and operational deficiencies of this section of I-25
  • Slowing of traffic where on-ramp merge lanes transition to regular traffic through
    lanes
  • Wait times from traffic congestion
  • Safety concerns or crashes from side swipes, fixed objects and wildlife

 Project Improvements & Benefits

Ease congestion along the approximately one-mile stretch of I-25 by adding auxiliary/continuous merge lanes on the outside in both north and south directions between the Fillmore Street (Exit 145) and the Garden of the Gods Road (Exit 146). During construction three through lanes will be maintained in each direction, except during the occasional off peak or night time lane closure. 

  • Reconstruct the aging Ellston Street Bridge overpass structures
  • H ot Mixed Asphalt (HMA) repaving within project limits, approximately two miles
  • Improvements where possible at ramp metering station on northbound
  • Fillmore acceleration ramp
  • Permanent water quality changes (as needed)
  • Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) infrastructure upgrades as needed (fiber optics and ramp meter station)
  • Preservation of the existing recreation trail and sidewalks at the Ellston Street overpass
  • Concurrent design work on an associated project includes:
    • Guardrail repairs and pavement marking improvements
    • Bridge deck rehabilitation at Garden of the Gods Road overpass