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West Colorado Avenue ready for improvements

April 27th, 2012, 4:19 pm by

“No Man’s Land” may finally get a makeover.

The El Paso County Board of Commissioner approved a contract for a traffic engineering studey of West Colorado Avenue and Manitou Avenue on Thursday. That area is commonly referred to as No Man’s Land, because it’s a patch of county soil wedged between Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. The Colorado Department of Transportation will pay for the $300,000 study.

The study will examine much-needed road improvements and identify solutions to traffic flow, pedestrian access, utilities placement, drainage and other infrastructure problems along West Colorado Avenue between 31st Street and Manitou Springs. Portions of Colorado Avenue in this area fall under four different jurisdictions: El Paso County, Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and CDOT.

“This is an historic moment for this longtime forgotten and neglected portion of West Colorado Avenue,” said commissioner Sallie Clark, who represents the study area.

The proposed study is expected to end January 2013. A project website will be launched in the coming weeks. The study will also include a comprehensive public involvement process including open house meetings and email information updates. Those interested in receiving information and updates on the study can contact Lisa Bachman P.R. Group at 488-5908 or at lisa@lisabachmanpr.com.

“We all stand ready to help with due process and public outreach,” said Welling Clark, the commissioner’s husband and president of Organization of Westside Neighbors.

Bob Felsburg, president of Felsburg Holt and Ullevig, leader of the study team, said, “This is a very important project for the communities. It’s a very challenging project in a very interesting corridor.”

Posted in: city of colorado springs • economic development • El Paso County • El Paso County Commissioners • Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments • Transportation | 3 Comments »

Public input sought on road priorities

April 16th, 2012, 4:19 pm by

Got an opinion on which area roads should be fixed? Time to speak up is 7-9 p.m. on April 26 in the Centennial Hall auditorium, 200 S. Cascade Ave.

El Paso County is hosting the public meeting on the extension of the Capital Program for the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority. El Paso County has targeted about 20 road projects, estimated to cost $80 million, for its recommended “A” list.

“We’re hoping to get final direction on the county’s list from this meeting before it is submitted to the PPRTA,” said county engineer Andre’ Brackin.

This will be a work-session style meeting with El Paso County elected officials and staff, with the public encouraged to provide input. Elected officials from the City of Colorado Springs have been invited to discuss the region’s potential road projects paid for by PPRTA.

The PPRTA’s board of directors has asked county and city administrations for a list of road projects that could be part of a ballot measure in November’s elections. Funding for the new lists will have to be approved by voters.

PPRTA was approved in 2004 by voters to collect a one percent sales tax to fund transportation and transit improvements, with 55 percent of the money used for a voter-approved list of capital projects.

Posted in: bus service • city of colorado springs • El Paso County • Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments • Transportation • Uncategorized • • • | Post a Comment »

Public can weigh in on regional transportation goals

January 14th, 2011, 8:45 am by

A regional transportation plan update is underway, and the public is invited to help prioritize projects.

Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments will host a “regional transportation goals” workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the organization’s office. Parking and entrance are at 14 S. Chestnut St., in Colorado Springs.

PPACG is required by federal law to update its regional transportation plan every four years. The  process will outline policies and prioritize such elements as intersection improvements, bridge repairs, sidewalks and bike trails.

Strong public participation is vital to developing the plan because it covers the next 25 years, said El Paso County Commission Vice Chair Sallie Clark, who also chairs the PPACG board.

Clark was elected chair of the PPACG, a voluntary association of 16 municipal and county governments, at this month’s meeting. Other new officers: El Paso County Commissioner Dennis Hisey as first vice-chair, Colorado Springs City Councilman Scott Hente as second vice-chair, Teller County Commissioner Jim Ignatius as treasurer and Green Mountain Falls Mayor Tyler Stevens as secretary.

Posted in: Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments • Transportation • Uncategorized • • • | 1 Comment »