Traffic Advisory: New bike and pedestrian detour
Beginning Thursday, Oct. 23, a new temporary bike and pedestrian detour will be implemented for South Tejon Street and South Nevada Avenue to allow crews to perform improvements to pedestrian and bicycle facilities. This detour will be in place until the end of November.
Bike and pedestrian routes on South Tejon Street and South Nevada Avenue will be intermittently impacted until the end of November as crews complete roadway, sidewalk, and electrical infrastructure improvements. Future detours will be provided as work progresses.
Detours
Bicyclist and pedestrian detours will be in place:
- Northbound South Nevada Avenue will utilize Brookside Street to the sidewalk on the east side of South Tejon Street to the north sidewalk on the I-25 North Connector Road to South Nevada Avenue.
- Southbound South Nevada Avenue will utilize the north sidewalk on the I-25 N. Connector Road to the sidewalk on the east side of South Tejon Street to Brookside Street to South Nevada Avenue.
- Southbound South Tejon Street will utilize the crosswalk at East Las Vegas Street to the sidewalk on the east side of South Tejon Street to the crosswalk on the south side of East Motor Way to the sidewalk or bike lane on the west side of South Tejon Street.
- Eastbound East Motor Way will utilize the sidewalk on the east side of South Tejon Street and proceed north or south consistent with the detours stated above
About
The City of Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) plan to increase safety and efficiency for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles at the I-25 Tejon Street and Nevada Avenue Interchange. The project will enhance traffic flow from the southbound I-25 exit to Nevada Avenue and increase queuing capacity for left-turning vehicles from northbound Nevada Avenue to northbound I-25. Improvements to pedestrian and bicycle facilities include wider sidewalks, enhanced visibility, and increased accessibility. The project will be completed in three phases to minimize traffic impacts over a total of nine months.
Phase 1 of the project includes the construction of a new median on Nevada from Brookside to I-25 to facilitate increased queuing capacity for left-turns to northbound I-25. Additional improvements to be completed during this phase include a new pedestrian bridge across Cheyenne Creek and sidewalk improvements on Tejon under I-25.
Phase 2 of the project improves traffic flow by widening the I-25 South Connector Road to accommodate a new right-turn lane at Nevada Ave. Additional improvements include the construction of new sidewalk facilities on Nevada from Brookside to I-25 and a new traffic signal at the Nevada and Brookside intersection.
Phase 3 of the project will complete the remaining sidewalk, bicycle, and intersection improvements on Tejon from I-25 to Motor Way.
Project Benefits
- Upgraded pedestrian facilities and traffic signals.
- Construction of a pedestrian bridge over Cheyenne Creek, providing safe passage for pedestrians through the busy corridor.
- Improved traffic flow from the southbound I-25 exit to S. Nevada Avenue.
- Pavement rehabilitation will improve the driving experience and safety.
- High-visibility pavement markings and bike ramps at crosswalks will increase safety for bicyclists on S. Tejon Street.
- Curb protection at the S. Tejon Street and Motorway intersection will improve comfort for bicyclists.
Funding
This is a voter-approved, Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) A-list project. The total project cost is $9.1 million.
Progress Photos
FAQs
What are the project benefits?
The City of Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) plan to increase safety and efficiency for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles at the I-25 Tejon Street and Nevada Avenue Interchange. The project will enhance traffic flow from the southbound I-25 exit to Nevada Avenue and increase queuing capacity for left-turning vehicles from northbound Nevada Avenue to northbound I-25. Improvements to pedestrian and bicycle facilities include wider sidewalks, enhanced visibility, and increased accessibility.
Was a traffic study conducted?
The Traffic Engineering Division initiated a traffic study for the Ivywild neighborhood in November 2018 to take a comprehensive look at the area’s current traffic conditions and how they may be affected by proposed redevelopment projects occurring in and around the neighborhood as part of the Ivywild Neighborhood and South Nevada Avenue Area urban renewal plans. The study made recommendations to improve traffic conditions in the Ivywild neighborhood.
The study, which used traffic data and neighborhood input, culminated in recommendations to address the most important transportation needs of the Ivywild neighborhood. These recommendations were presented to the public in a meeting February 10, 2020. Some of the key recommendations include:
- Modifying the southbound Tejon/Nevada I-25 ramps and adjacent streets to encourage drivers destined to points on South Nevada or farther south to turn onto Nevada Avenue, rather than onto Tejon Street. Encouraging more traffic onto Nevada, which features a larger capacity roadway than Tejon Street, should improve traffic flow in the area and reduce congestion on Tejon Street.
- Recommendations to improve traffic operations on Tejon Street south of Brookside Street to include adding roundabouts at Brookside Street and Navajo Street, on-street parking, pedestrian refuges, and a single driving lane in each direction to facilitate pedestrian access between the residential neighborhood and the surrounding community.
- Investigating and making changes to the signal timing at some intersections.
- Addressing parking concerns by striping on-street spaces on Motor Way and Tejon Street, considering surface parking lots near I-25, and encouraging developers to build parking structures.
- Exploring the implementation of traffic calming treatments on streets that meet thresholds for improvements.
This project will address the first bullet above by making the I-25 to South Nevada movement more convenient and efficient for the travelling public.
Why were East Arvada Street and Motor Way changed to right-turn-only access at South Nevada Avenue?
Upon review of the analyses, retaining a southbound left turn at East Arvada Street or northbound left turn at Motor Way would increase the northbound traffic average delay by more than 120% and the travel time by more than 75%.
The City is committed to monitoring potential traffic changes on nearby streets such as Brookside Street, and to implementing additional improvements as needed. The primary objective of these improvements is to improve traffic flow and safety for the thousands of vehicles traveling on South Nevada Avenue each day.
How is this project funded?
This is a voter-approved, Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) A-list project. Total project cost is $9.1 million.
Will residents be notified if construction directly affects their home?
Yes, there will be a requirement for the contractor to notify homeowners 48 hours ahead of planned construction that will affect access, parking, or existing features on their property.
What are the construction hours?
Generally, construction work will take place between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Any allowances for weekend or night work will require advance approval from the City.
Will there be traffic impacts due to construction in this project area?
The initial construction traffic impacts restrict South Nevada Avenue to two lanes in each direction, while a center median is constructed, along with shoulder work on South Tejon Street under I-25 and along the I-25 collector road between South Tejon Street and South Nevada Avenue.
- There will be single-lane restrictions and closures.
- Expect to see flaggers as crews establish the work zones and perform road construction services.
- There may be occasional weekend or night work, these activities will be announced in advance through the project email newsletter.
Will the speed limits South Nevada Avenue or South Tejon Street be reduced during construction?
Reduced speed limits are not anticipated; however, numerous traffic control configurations during construction will restrict traffic flow. If deemed necessary for the safety of construction workers and the traveling public, speeds will be reduced in the future.
What is the project schedule?
Construction started in May of 2024. Construction is expected to last through the end of 2024.