Two intersections on South Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs to close for new traffic signals
Scott Harrison
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — There has already been a safety improvement project on South Nevada Avenue and South Tejon Street, south of Interstate 25, and upcoming repaving work on Nevada from Brookside Street to Fort Carson.
Get ready for another project in that busy corridor.
Starting at 7 a.m. On Monday, the intersection of Nevada and Ramona Avenue will close for a month, allowing workers to install new traffic signals and make other safety upgrades that will benefit drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The closure won’t affect northbound and southbound traffic on Nevada, but drivers will be unable to turn onto or off of Ramona at the intersection.
After improvements at that intersection are finished, a similar project will begin a block south at the intersection of Nevada and St. Elmo Avenue.
The city and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) are teaming up on both projects, with hopes of completing them early next year.
Officials said that traffic is increasing at both intersections, as the corridor continues to transform under an Urban Renewal plan to revitalize the area.
In recent years, several old motels and vacant buildings have been demolished and replaced by new businesses; the Nevada/Ramona closure is between the north end of the Creekwalk shopping development and the longtime former Ivywild Pharmacy that is now a Snarf’s Sandwiches shop.
Most of the changes have happened on the west side of Nevada.
The projects at the two intersections will install curbs and gutters that meet federal requirements for the disabled; improve drainage; provide better crosswalks and signage; and beautify sidewalk areas.
A city spokesman said that the signals are approximately 40 years old, and their replacement cost is $1.2 million.
Detours for the Nevada/Ramona closure:
Westbound Ramona Avenue traffic: Detour south on South Nevada Avenue, west on St. Elmo Avenue, north on Tejon Street, and return to Ramona from the west.
Eastbound Ramona Avenue traffic: Detour south on Tejon Street, East on St. Elmo Avenue, North on S. Nevada Avenue, Return to Ramona from the east.
Pedestrian/Sidewalk access: Pedestrian access will be maintained with detours clearly marked. Some sidewalk segments near the work zone will be temporarily closed with “Cross Here” signage in place.