US 24 Ute Pass Projects Travel Alert: Week of April 1, 2019

US 24 ITS Fiber Optic, Between Woodland Park and Colorado Springs (anticipated to be complete Fall, 2019)

The US 24 ITS project is a fiber optic installation project, taking place between the City of Woodland Park and Interstate-25/Cimarron Street in Colorado Springs (17 miles). The project is designed to maximize the operational efficiency and management of the existing roadway infrastructure through the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and devices. The fiber optics project is part of CDOT’s Smart Mobility Plan, a 5-10 year plan for statewide technology deployment. 

Work will generally take place outside the pavement area or in the shoulder area. In that instance, work may take place Mondays through Fridays. When work is scheduled overnight in areas where work outside the travel lanes is not possible, the outside edge of the travel lane pavement may be impacted.

Overnight work for the week of April 1 happens along US 24 from Cliff Road to El Paso Boulevard.

• Sunday, March 31 through Thursday, April 4, overnight, 7:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. (mile marker 298.00 – 299.00) 
• Work consists of erosion control, potholing for utilities and saw – trenching in the paved shoulder.
• Eastbound traffic can expect right shoulder closures and, right lane closures as needed

Daytime work for the week of April 1 in Manitou Springs, Cascade and Colorado Springs.

• Monday, April 1 through Friday, April 5, daily, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., at mile marker 286.99 – 303.50 and at mile marker 300.00 – 303.00
• Work consists of erosion control and directional boring
• Eastbound traffic can expect right shoulder closures as needed

For more information: 
https://www.codot.gov/projects/us-24-its-fiber-optic-installation/us-24-its-fiber-installation

El Paso County project at Chipita Park Road for Box Culvert Work
Chipita Park Road northwest of Ute Pass Elementary School closed on February 25 while a crew contracted by El Paso County installs a new box culvert to help improve storm water drainage in the area. 

No through traffic will be allowed between Fountain Road and US 24. Detours will be in place to help maintain traffic flow. Green Mountain Falls Road, Ute Pass Avenue, and US 24 will serve as the detour routes during the closure. See a vicinity map showing the detour.

Drivers are reminded to reduce speeds and to watch for workers, equipment, signs and barricades. El Paso County thanks drivers in advance for their cooperation.  Weather permitting, this work is expected to be competed in April. For more information:  www.elpasoco.com or email: dotweb@elpasoco.com.

US 24 Intersection Improvements at 31st Street and Ridge Road (anticipated to be complete, Spring 2019)

The installation of new traffic signal poles and arms are expected to begin April 29 and be complete by mid- May. Final completion of striping will be done by late May.No daytime or overnight work is scheduled for the week of April 1.

On-going traffic impacts include: 

• Speed reduction by 5-10 miles per hour in the project zone
• Various lane closures expected during work hours. Two lanes eastbound and westbound will always be open to traffic during the hours of 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Shoulder closures will be in place 24/7

The Midland Trail, running alongside US 24 is now open between 31^st Street and Ridge Road. When using the trail to get to Manitou Springs from Ridge Road, cross over to the south side of Colorado Avenue, take 36^th Street west on Pikes Peak Avenue, north on Columbia Road, west to El Paso Boulevard and into Manitou Springs.

The CDOT US 24 at 31^st Street and Ridge Road project will improve the safety of motorists, as well as upgrade ADA ramps for easy accessibility. For more information: 
https://www.codot.gov/projects/us-24-31st-street-ridge-road-upgrades

Serpentine Drive in Manitou Springs Closed for Repairs to Retaining Wall
On February 20, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Structures, Inc. closed Serpentine Drive to begin repairs to the location’s historic retaining wall. Repairs are expected to last until May 31, 2019.

Traffic is being redirected to the east Manitou Avenue exit and the west Manitou Avenue (US 24 Business) exit. No traffic delays are expected.

Due to safety concerns, there is no vehicle or pedestrian access on  the site. For additional information about this project, call the project information line at 719.593.9239 or email: WallRehab2019@gmail.com. 

Westside Avenue Action Plan (substantial completion approximately June, 2019 – various final project work will continue into Summer, 2019)

• El Paso County is reconstructing W. Colorado/Manitou avenues from 31st Street to the US 24 Interchange between the two historic districts of Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs. Work continues all year.
• Alternating traffic along W. Colorado/Manitou avenues between 31st Street and the US 24 interchange 
• Flaggers are in place to help direct traffic in/out of the businesses
• For more information about the WAAP project and the latest Traffic Advisories and road closures/detours, visit: http://www.westsideavenueplan.com

Safe Driving Notices:

• Westbound motorists planning to access the Pikes Peak Highway to the summit of Pikes Peak should anticipate the left turn at Fountain Avenue and safely move to the left lane well in advance of the intersection. This will minimize traffic backups that occur with last minute crossing over to make the left turn onto Fountain Avenue.
• When exiting the Pikes Peak Highway on Fountain Avenue and heading eastbound on US 24 toward Colorado Springs, use the right turn merge lane onto the Ute Pass Avenue (frontage road) prior to the intersection.
• Avoid distractions and pay attention to road and directional signs. 
• Bicyclists are discouraged from riding through the construction zone during hours of construction operations.
• Motorists are urged to allow additional time to reach your destination and to call ahead for information on any lane reductions or detours that may be in place.
• Colorado State Patrol is assisting with traffic control where needed on these projects. 

Construction schedules are subject to change based on weather/unforeseen circumstances and schedule changes.

Projects Information

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and El Paso County have initiated a series of transportation, safety, operation and technology improvement projects along the US 24 / Ute Pass Corridor between 31st Street and Woodland Park. Numerous tourist attractions are located along this corridor and it is a gateway from Colorado Springs to the communities of Woodland Park, Cripple Creek/Divide, the Pikes Peak Highway and the mountains. As such this corridor is heavily traveled with more than 25,000 vehicles per day.

Agency Coordination: The necessary projects are being implemented proactively (not waiting for an emergency situation) and are being completed through a measured response that minimizes impacts as much as possible. Coordination between CDOT, El Paso County, the City of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, and the Colorado State Patrol are occurring to stagger projects were possible and to maximize strategies for better traffic flow along the US 24 / Ute Pass Corridor.

Construction schedules: subject to change based on
weather/unforeseen circumstances and schedule changes.

Access to businesses: maintained along the US 24/ Ute Pass corridor and along
W. Colorado/Manitou avenues. Call ahead to your destination for current access information.