7-month bridge replacement project begins today at 31st & Water Streets in west Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Driving in part of the Pleasant Valley neighborhood will be a little less pleasant until mid-spring because of a major intersection closure.
The city is replacing the 71-year-old bridge at the intersection of 31st and Water Streets, over Camp Creek and just south of Garden of the Gods.
Drivers can expect construction to be active during weekdays and occasionally on Saturdays, and there will be temporary pedestrian crossings established around the intersection.
Officials say that the bridge has become structurally deficient and has passed its expected service life; the new bridge is designed to improve the capacity and efficiency of drainage in the creek.
The project includes upgrades to both streets, drainage, utility lines, sidewalks, curbs, ramps, and crosswalks.
Construction will change the routine at Howbert Elementary School, a half-block south of the intersection.
“We’re going to make it work, but it doesn’t feel like it’ll be the safest for kids,” says Becki Dickey, a teacher at Howbert. “It’s not comfortable. And this whole neighborhood is going to be really impacted by a road closure like that for who knows how long.”
The school is on fall break this week.
Two other projects along 31st Street are part of a larger plan to improve drainage there.
This summer, crews built a new pedestrian bridge in front of the school; irt replaces an older bridge that was removed after being damaged by a vehicle crash in 2024.
Next spring, crews will begin building a roundabout at the busy intersection of 31st and Fontanero Streets; the project is scheduled for completion that fall.
While many neighbors support the roundabout, they worry about pedestrian safety there with kids walking to and from the school nearby.
“Our concerns at this point may have to do with continuity of government and how they are proceeding with previously completed plans,” says Chuck Whalen, a member of the Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Association. “Have new plans been redone, not using all plans? It seems like a big waste of taxpayer funds here if designs have been duplicated.”
Whalen says that the association plans to meet with city planners next month to further discuss the best roundabout design; the assiciation previously created a design that would widen the creek channel to make room for bike lanes.
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