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A Wildcat Construction crew works on one of
the retaining walls for Fountain Creek (visible at lower right) about 200 feet west
of where the creek will flow under the new Adams Crossing Bridge at Columbia
Road. The sign for a Colorado Avenue motel can be seen at upper left. The bridge
completion is now predicted in early September.
New on WAAP project: avenue lane shift; unchanged on project: flaggers
June 11, 2018Traffic through the Westside Avenue Action Plan (WAAP) project will still move slowly starting Monday, June 18, but at least it will be on a different side of the road.
A project press release states that on that date "all traffic will switch to the north side of West Colorado Avenue from Ridge Road to west of
Workers blow dirt and debris away from the
future Adams Crossing Bridge's rebar, over which concrete will be poured to
form the bridge deck later this month. The bridge is not due to open until
September.
Westside Pioneer photo
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The reason is the need to work on underground utilities on the south side.
"Traffic will be one lane with alternating traffic controlled by flaggers, as required, during active construction work, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (weather permitting)," the release continues. "During off-hours, one lane in each direction will be open."
WAAP is a $35.5 million project by El Paso County, Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs to rebuild the avenue roughly between 31st Street and Manitou's Highway 24 interchange. Work started in December 2016. Project officials have predicted “substantial completion” by the end of this year.
A shift to the avenue's north side will also be implemented as of the 18th between Ridge and 32nd Street for gas line work by Colorado Springs Utilities. One lane in each
While standing on a narrow, temporary
footbridge over Fountain Creek, a Wildcat Construction worker looks at the
underside of the Adams Crossing Bridge that's being built.
Westside Pioneer photo
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Access to local businesses will be maintained, the release adds.
The current main focus for project contractor Wildcat Construction is construction of the new Adam's Crossing Bridge over Fountain Creek at Columbia Road. Girders were installed in late May, and the bridge deck is to be poured later this month. The bridge is slated to open by early September, according to the project team.
The press release also lists these project-related road impacts, starting June 18:
- Columbia Road. Closed from Colorado Avenue to Pikes Peak Avenue for roadwork. The best detour is 36th Street, the release recommends.
- El Paso Boulevard. One lane with flaggers between Via Maria Theresia and Columbia Road from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for paving.
Regarding bicycle traffic, “flaggers will be present to direct bicyclists around the construction area on Pikes Peak Avenue as needed," the release states. "Because of the active construction/excavation in this area, bikers are requested to walk their bikes.”
Westside Pioneer article
(Projects:
Westside Avenue Action Plan)
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