Closure expected through spring 2022
A section of Airport Road over Spring Creek will close to all traffic starting Thursday, Oct. 14 through the spring of 2022, weather dependent, as the City of Colorado Springs continues work to rebuild the Spring Creek Bridge, which is located in the southeast part of the city. This work will increase the length of the bridge in order to deepen the channel below for flood flows to better pass under the roadway. New sidewalks will also be added on each side of the structure to improve pedestrian access and safety.
The full closure will begin at 7 a.m. on Oct. 14 and starts directly in front of Fire Station #8, between Lakewood Circle and Audubon Drive, west of Academy Boulevard. In addition, Marjorie Lee Drive will also be closed through the spring, except for emergency vehicles. Access to the fire station, residences, and businesses will remain open at all times by way of Lakewood Circle.
Motorists will be detoured at Fountain Boulevard and Pikes Peak Avenue for east/west access.
Kiewit Infrastructure Company has been contracted by the City to complete the bridge work. For additional project information visit ColoradoSprings.gov/AirportRd. The public can also call 719-642-0772 or email AirportRoadOverSpringCreek@gmail.com with questions.
Project background and description
Airport Road is an east-west, principal arterial, that carries traffic over Spring Creek on a 47-year-old bridge that is deteriorating, is currently too narrow to accommodate sidewalks, and has less than half the capacity needed to pass a 100-year flood under the roadway. The Spring Creek Bridge is located approximately 730 feet west of Academy Boulevard adjacent to Fire Station #8.
The creek drains a densely developed watershed that produces high flow rates in the creek from summer storms on a relatively frequent basis. The creek flow has overtopped the roadway on several occasions, including as recently as last summer. Flood flow crossing the roadway is a hazard to motorists and pedestrians and can adversely affect emergency response times.
The existing bridge does not accommodate pedestrian traffic and is located in a community that is dependent on pedestrian accessibility. This situation results in pedestrians sometimes walking into the traffic lanes.
The project scope also included the addition of a larger sanitary sewer, which was completed earlier this year by Colorado Springs Utilities. The increased sanitary sewer capacity will improve the existing system and accommodate future growth.