(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Construction on the Woodmen Road bridge over Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs is set to begin on Monday, Aug. 11, aiming to address the needs of the high-traffic intersection.
The project, which will last approximately three months, involves replacing old materials such as concrete and bridge joints, as well as repaving Woodmen Road from East Rockrimmon Boulevard past Olga Wilson Way. With up to 80,000 vehicles passing through daily, the City plans to conduct most of the work at night to minimize disruption.
“They should both be wrapped up in about a three-month period of time,” said Gayle Sturdivant, the City Engineer and Deputy Public Works Director. “The bulk of this work is going to be happening at nighttime. One of the reasons why we’re moving this work, as much to the nighttime as possible, is so that this busy intersection and all the businesses around it can be accessed throughout it.”
The City plans to use a new, more durable asphalt for the project. Although it’s more expensive, it also promises a longer lifespan.
“CDOT uses it quite a bit on highways. There have been some other municipalities up in Denver that have used it on highly traveled roadways. We’ve gone up and seen the product, and it looks really good. From what we know, it performs really well,” said Corey Farkas, the City Operations and Maintenance Division Manager.
The City is considering using this asphalt for other high-traffic areas in the future, depending on the outcome of this project.
Farkas added, “We will be tackling segments of Academy in the future. This could be a very good tool in our toolbox to be able to utilize, to give the citizens of Colorado Springs a much better product on the roadway.”
The project is funded by Colorado Springs voters through the PPRTA roadway maintenance and the 2C paving program.
“As you’re going through here, even with the work happening at night… be patient. You’re going to see things going on. Watch out for the workers, slow down, take the time… so you get home safely and the workers are getting home safely as well,” said Sturdivant.
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