January 31, 2024

Black Forest Road 2024 outlook

The Black Forest Road widening project continues on track for completion later this year, despite record rains last summer that impacted construction for weeks.

Although winter weather has prevented most concrete or asphalt work, construction has continued on utilities around and under the roadway, as well as work in Cottonwood Creek to stabilize the creek channel and reduce erosion.

In the coming weeks, motorists may notice the following activities:

• Wildcat will complete the final tie-ins and testing of the 16-inch waterline that stretches nearly half a mile from Cowpoke Road to Research Parkway. This will complete the Colorado Springs Utilities water improvements for the project.
• Streetlights along Black Forest Road should be in service by mid-February, completing the lighting improvements for the project.
• Preparations for a planned concrete pour of the new northbound bridge deck in early March.
• Also in March, completion of improvements in the Cottonwood Creek tributary channel.

As weather continues to improve, paving and concrete activities will increase. Current traffic alignments will remain in place into April, although the project team is continuously looking to improve road conditions and traffic operations, particularly between Woodmen and Vollmer roads. 

An excavator moves earth near boulders that create a drop structure in a tributary of Cottonwood Creek near Black Forest Road. The drop structure reduces water flow during periods of high water, reducing erosion of the creek channel.

This 20-inch water line was recently placed underground on the east side of Black Forest Road.

Stay Informed

The project is widening the roadway to two lanes in each direction between Woodmen Road and Research Parkway. Funded through the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) “A” List of projects, work is scheduled to be complete in late 2024.  

For project information or to sign up to receive construction updates via email, call

800-887-4155 or visit Coloradosprings.gov/BlackForestRd.

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