Construction Begins April 18th on Black Forest Road
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE PROJECT WEBSITE
Beginning Monday, April 18, 2022, construction crews will be mobilizing materials and equipment for the Black Forest Road Widening project, from Woodmen Road to Research Parkway. The public is advised to be alert and use slower speeds through the construction zone.
Black Forest Road will be widened to a four-lane, principal arterial cross-section from Woodmen Road to Research Parkway, and separate northbound and southbound bridges will be constructed over Cottonwood Creek. Wildcat Construction is the contractor for the project which is anticipated to be complete by late 2024.
Stay Informed: For more information and to sign up for ongoing emailed Construction Updates, visit: Coloradosprings.gov/BlackForestRd
Public Meetings Recap
Over 100 people attended the in-person public meeting held April 11 at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church and nearly 60 more attended a virtual public meeting the next day to learn about the project,
Mike Chaves, City of Colorado Springs project manager, gave a presentation on the 1.37-mile project with a general overview and background as well as how the project integrates with current developments planned in the Black Forest area.
Levi Morris, Wildcat Construction, and construction manager Jason Bonini, Basis Partners, provided an overview of construction activities and scheduling.
Meeting facilitator Lisa Bachman, Bachman pr, and George Hayward, public information officer for the project, fielded a variety of questions on topics from events at Kit Carson to school district transportation to trash and postal service concerns.
Click to view the virtual public meeting video presentation.
Project Overview
The area of Colorado Springs along the three miles of Black Forest Road between Woodmen and Old Ranch roads has experienced considerable growth over the past several years. Much of the area, as well as the arterial connections to Black Forest Road (Research Parkway/Marksheffel Road and Briargate Parkway/Stapleton Road) is projected to be developed within the next 5-10 years and existing and proposed development requires more capacity along this portion of Black Forest Road than the current two-lane section provides.
The City of Colorado Springs will begin widening the section of Black Forest Road from Woodmen Road to Research Parkway in April. Construction of the roadway segment from Research Parkway to Old Ranch Road has not been scheduled.
The first segment of the project widens Black Forest Road to a four-lane, principal arterial cross-section from Woodmen Road to Research Parkway, and replaces the existing bridge over Cottonwood Creek.
The project is funded through the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) “A” List of projects.
Design features include:
- Streetlights will be installed at the intersections, but not along the entire corridor, providing safety while reducing night-time artificial pollution.
- Adding a six-foot sidewalk on the east side, and a 10-foot sidewalk on the west side of Black Forest Road, in addition to six-foot multi-use shoulders.
- The project will improve traffic operations at the intersections of Black Forest Road with Woodmen, Vollmer and Cowpoke Roads and Research Parkway.
- New permanent traffic signals will be added along Black Forest Road at Cowpoke Road and Research Parkway.
- One through-lane in each direction will be added on Black Forest Road and turn lanes will be added at those key intersections.
- The overhead electric lines currently on the east side of Black Forest Road (between Woodmen and Research Parkway) will be undergrounded and the utility poles removed.
- Constructing separate northbound and southbound bridges to replace the existing single span over the creek. Creek stabilization through this section of the creek will be implemented. The project will also include provisions for the future trail under the bridge.
To be added to the database to receive information and meeting notices, visit: Coloradosprings.gov/BlackForestRd