The Westside Avenue Action Plan study of W. Colorado and Manitou avenues will host a public open house:
When: 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Presentation: 6 p.m.
Where: Westside Community Center, 1628 W. Bijou St.
The open house will include a presentation at 6 p.m. to review the study process, explain the recommended alternative and next steps for transportation improvements to the 1½- mile segment of W. Colorado and Manitou avenues between N. 31st Street and the US 24 interchange.
Following a series of stakeholder workshops that began in summer 2012 and continued through Jan. 17, 2013, area residents, property and business owners and elected officials recommended that the participating agencies carry forward the 3-lane option for more detailed analysis and design. The option includes one through lane for eastbound and westbound traffic with a center left-turn lane.
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Stakeholders discuss one of the three transportation alternatives considered during the workshop hosted Jan. 17, 2013 at the Westside Community Center.
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Stakeholders prefer the three-lane option because it better regulates vehicle speeds, improves traffic safety with the addition of a dedicated left turn lane, safely accommodates pedestrians and bicycle traffic and provides room for amenities stakeholders identified as important considerations reflecting the community values they identified.
NEXT STEPS: In the coming months the study's technical team, in collaboration with the stakeholders, participating agencies and public, will further refine some aspects of the corridor including intersection design, alignment and drainage issues, as well as aesthetic elements such as street lighting, sidewalks and signage. Participating agencies include El Paso County, the cities of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs and the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority will provide construction funding for the transportation improvements sometime after Jan. 1, 2015.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit the project website for information about the study, including all documents from previous meetings. For questions about the March 20 open house or for special accommodations, send an email to: info@WestsideAvenuePlan.com.
What Officials Are Saying
"This vital link between the national historic districts of Old Colorado City in Colorado 
Springs and Manitou Springs is in need of revitalization for it to become a viable connection between these two vibrant and popular destinations. The Westside Avenue Action Plan is the first step toward infrastructure improvements to address safety and efficient travel in the corridor. These improvements will set the stage for economic revitalization and other future corridor enhancements positively contributing to the region's economic vitality."
El Paso County District 3 Commissioner Sallie Clark
"During the March 20 open house we will share with the general public the process used to reach this point of the study, to explain the advantages of the three lane option and to describe what happens next. The public process and level of public participation in this study has been extremely robust. Stakeholders were thorough, thoughtful and remained engaged throughout the process. I applaud their participation and the pride they take in their community. Although the challenges in this corridor are many and diverse, and transportation improvements alone will not solve all of them, the improvements are intended to serve as a catalyst for other enhancements. The desired result will ultimately bring a renewed identity and vitality to this corridor."
Andre Brackin, El Paso County Engineer and Westside Avenue Action Plan Project Manager
