Project Schedule
- Phase 0 Construction (offline): July 2015
- Phase 1 Construction (mainline work) begins: Spring 2016
- Fully Operational: Winter 2017
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Share Your Stories
The I-25/Cimarron Interchange was originally constructed in 1960. Did you live in Colorado Springs at that time and remember it being built/before it was built? Are you interested in sharing a few "Back in Time" stories about the interchange, or memories of what you were doing or what was going on in the community/world at that point in time?
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Sign Up to Receive
E-newsletters
To receive future I-25/Cimarron project e-newsletters and construction notices, send an email to [email protected].
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Prioritized Project Goals
Project goals were established and approved by the Executive Oversight Committee. The goals provide direction to the project team and to the design-build contractor team.
Project Goals
1. Maximize overall safety, capacity and operation of the interchange and the surrounding transportation network within the Project budget;
2. Complete Project construction to be fully operational before December 2017;
3. Minimize impacts and inconvenience to the community, motorists, businesses, downtown and the public during construction; and
4. Achieve an aesthetically pleasing design compatible with current and future amenities and enhancements in and around the interchange.
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What the Project Involves
Planned improvements include reconstructing I-25 between Colorado Avenue (to the north) and the Nevada Avenue/Tejon Street interchange (to the south), and include a continuous northbound travel lane between the S. Nevada/ Tejon interchange and the Cimarron interchange. Project boundaries on Cimarron are between 8th Street to the west and the Cimarron bridge over Fountain Creek to the east. Once construction is complete in 2017, the project will provide:
- Improved interstate and interchange operations and safety;
- Improved highway alignment and improved ramps, acceleration/deceleration lanes for increased vehicle storage and safety;
- New I-25 bridge structures;
- New connection between 8th Street and Cimarron Street;
- Improved trail connectivity and aesthetic treatments. Reconstruction of approximately 2,100 feet of Upper Fountain Creek, enhancing stream habitat.
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Project Partners
- Colorado Department of Transportation
- Federal Highway Administration
- City of Colorado Springs
- El Paso County
- The Community
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Click to view larger map:
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Support the Pikes Peak Humane Society, an important organization in the Pikes Peak region and one of the businesses impacted by this project.
Download the free Walk for A Dog app at either Google play or from the App Store, select Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and start walking! The more people walking for the shelter, the higher the donation. So, spread the word, grab a leash and go! Visit WoofTrax.com for more information! |
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Additional Improvements to
Interstate-25 / Cimarron Interchange
The contactor, Kraemer North America, proposed a number of additional features in their Request for Proposal response that helped them win the project contract.These Additional Requested Elements (ARE's) are supplementary benefits to the project above and beyond the original project scope to maximize the project goals of providing overall safety, capacity, and operation of the interchange and the surrounding transportation network. "Once complete the traveling public will better understand the benefits of these additional requested elements," said CDOT Resident Engineer Dave Watt.
A few of the Additional Requested Elements include:
- US 24 Over Fountain Creek Bridge - Begins in Phase 1 with mainline construction, spring 2016. This element replaces the US 24 Bridge over Fountain Creek, providing added lane widths, which allows for double-left turn lanes at the 8th Street quadrant intersection. ARE 2B will increase capacity at US 24 and 8th Street, as well as to the surrounding transportation network.
- Fountain Creek Trail Improvements - Begins in Phase 1 with mainline construction, spring 2016. Includes trail and creek improvements along Fountain Creek up to 8th Street. Enhancements involve a 12-foot wide trail extending to 8th Street, a new connection to America the Beautiful Park and a variety of aesthetic improvements. Work also will be done to increase creek capacity and stability.
- Quadrant Intersection at US 24 and 8th Street - The purpose of this ARE is to achieve a 20 percent increase in vehicle capacity along the US 24 and 8th Street quadrant intersection during weekday rush hours and a 40 percent increase on weekends.This enhancement is designed to eliminate the current one-to-two mile backups and delays motorists have been experiencing for years in this area.To accomplish this, the area will be divided into three signalized intersections. This work will continue through the spring of 2016.
CLICK HERE to see a map of the locations of the AREs.
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Critical Focus on Earthwork
Over the past month construction crews have been hauling material for embankment work at southbound I-25 from Cimarron/US 24 to the S. Nevada Ave./S.Tejon interchange exit.The current schedule allows for the majority of the material to be placed with limited traffic impacts. Since more construction vehicles are entering and exiting traffic, drivers are urged to slow down, observe speed limits and avoid distractions.
A critical first step of final project design is geotechnical investigation. Geotechnical investigation involves checking the existing ground stability to support roadway and bridge foundation designs. On the I-25/Cimarron Project, this step has been completed.
Currently, geotechnical engineers are monitoring the soil consistency and groundwater levels to ensure maximum settlement prior to permanent construction. The embankment work being done on the west side of I-25 allows for full settlement to occur through the winter prior to placing pavement for the shift of I-25 to the west.
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Excitement, Commitment, Momentum
Vibrant Future for Downtown
The I-25/Cimarron project was part of a lineup of significant projects expected to be substantially complete by the year 2018 showcased during the Sept. 17 Downtown Partnership's Annual Meeting at the Antlers Hotel.
More than 500 attendees were treated to enthusiastic presentations by Mayor John Suthers, underscoring how the U.S. Olympic Museum and Hall of Fame will open its doors in southwest downtown in time for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Then followed an exclamation of the completion of the $113 million I-25/Cimarron Interchange before January 2018, providing an enhanced gateway to downtown Colorado Springs and the mountain communities to the west.
Other major initiatives expected to be complete by 2018 include:
- $60 million Ent Center for the Arts at the University of Colorado--Colorado Springs
- $45 million Tutt Library expansion at Colorado College
- 100-year anniversary of The Broadmoor including major events, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament
- Several impressive developments expected to bring more than 500 new residential units to the downtown area
- Catalyst Campus, designed to attract hundreds of high-paying tech jobs
- Completion of Legacy Loop, 10,000 meter trail around central Colorado Springs
- Renovation of the downtown YMCA
- New homeless housing complex initiated by Springs Rescue Mission, Greccio Housing and Nor'wood
- New Summit Complex and Visitor Center atop Pikes Peak
The Colorado Department of Transportation's I-25/Cimarron interchange project is a proud contributor to the future vibrancy of downtown Colorado Springs, improving transportation around and into the downtown area.
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60-Inch Drainage Bore Under I-25
 The I-25/Cimarron project team spent the last two months hand digging a 60 inch diameter bore (tunnel) 15 feet under and 150 feet across I-25. The new 60 inch concrete outfall will assist in flood control north of the Pikes Peak Humane Society. The new bore drains into Fountain Creek.
 A large hydraulic drill was to assist in the digging. However, due to the high concentration of sand in the soil the drill was not effective, resulting in the use of manual labor. A trolley system was used to remove material from the tunnel. A trolley cart took a crew of three into the tunnel to fill the cart with dirt. Hundreds of cart loads of dirt were hauled out of the tunnel to complete the project.
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A Look Ahead
Pikes Peak Greenway Trail and Bear Creek Trail detours will be in place through November.
Expect construction activities west of I-25, on both the north and south sides of Cimarron Street. Relocation of utilities, drainage work and surveying will continue throughout the area with minimal traffic impact.
There will be night work on I-25 and US 24 in October and November that requires various lane shifts.
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Additional Project Information
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