Scott Harrison
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — An unfinished intersection project in Security-Widefield and continuing work under new bridges in Colorado Springs are the subjects of many viewer questions recently emailed to KRDO13’s The Road Warrior.
At the intersection of Main Street and Leta Drive, new sidewalks, curbs, and some repaving are in place; however, the new traffic signals have yet to be turned on and are covered with plastic wrap.
The intersection is in a fairly heavy traffic area, close to several businesses and the offices of Widefield School District 3.
Viewers are asking for more details about the project and why it has stopped for at least several weeks.
The Road Warrior has learned that it’s part of a program to improve pedestrian safety near schools and neighborhoods; similar work is underway a few blocks west, at the Main Street/Norman Street intersection.
A county spokesman said that the delay is because the Board of Commissioners has to approve additional funds to provide more materials needed — such as a replacement traffic signal, a new vehicle detection system and a dedicated yellow turn arrow.
Crews didn’t realize those materials were necessary until electrical work began.
Leta Drive is closed at the intersection, but Main Street remains open; the county expects construction to be finished sometime next month.
Meanwhile, others want to know why lane closures and concrete barriers remain in place on Hancock Expressway under Circle Drive, several months after crews replaced four aging bridges there.
The right lanes in both directions are closed, but some drivers still occasionally use them — despite signs alerting drivers to merge into the left lanes.
The Road Warrior found an explanation that passing drivers likely can’t see on the opposite side of the barriers: A new sidewalk being installed on one side of the street.
Pedestrian and bicycle improvements are among the finishing touches of the bridge project scheduled for completion early next year.
Related finishing work on nearby Las Vegas Street and the south end of Circle shows that replacing bridges more than 60 years old also requires upgrades to the surrounding infrastructure.
Just before noon on Thursday, the city released a statement providing more details about Hancock:
“The bridge work is complete, but significant utility work remains in the Hancock Expressway area. Colorado Springs Utilities is working between Hancock and the railroad tracks to install a new water main and related connections. Crews are currently drilling for utility lines and installing a continuous length of new water line under the railroad property. The new waterline will be connected to the existing water main on Hancock Expressway. The work will then shift closer to the railroad tracks before the water main can be installed under the bridge and up the ramp.
Because of this ongoing work, travelers should expect concrete barriers, lane restrictions, and additional traffic shifts in the area through the end of winter. Once the utility work is complete, crews will be able to complete the remaining roadway work.
The sidewalk on Hancock on the east side is complete. The project team plans to patch asphalt once the waterline installation occurs at Hancock/Delta roads.”
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