Residents Learn More about the South Downtown Rail Underpass Project
On Tuesday, Nov. 4 City of Colorado Springs Project Manager Aaron Egbert, and consultants from TRS and FHU were socially distanced at the UCCS downtown facility for residents to drop by and discuss the preferred alternative for the South Downtown Rail Underpass project and ask questions.
In addition, the City of Colorado Springs held a digital public information meeting Thursday, Nov. 19. For the safety of the community during this COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was digital and included a PowerPoint presentation and opportunity to ask questions. Approximately 25 members of the public participated virtually in the meeting. The presentation focused on the project overview, community outreach summary, the planning process review which guided the team to a preferred alternative, and the project schedule.
The earliest the project could go to construction is 2025, once revenues have accrued from the next Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) ballot initiative, anticipated to go to a vote in November 2022.
CLICK HERE to view the November 19 virtual meeting PowerPoint presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are you only looking at M1 as the preferred alternative at this point?
A. That is correct. M1 is the preferred alternative based on the technical analysis and is the alternative with the least number of property impacts and least cost.
Q. What are the benefits of the preferred alternative identified through the Rail Underpasses planning process?
A. The preferred alternative for the reconstruction of the rail bridges and the ideal location of the rail line effectively addresses railroad operational, maintenance and safety needs as well as numerous other project goals:
- Maintains and improves traffic operations on Nevada Avenue, Tejon Street, and intersecting streets.
- Will enable the City to achieve current clearance standards underneath the Nevada and Tejon rail bridges.
- Includes a neighborhood desired Quiet Zone.
- Addresses pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and safety across the railroad tracks
- Bridge design and associated improvements are compatible with and improve access to surrounding neighborhoods and land uses. They are supportive of potential development opportunities after planning for the Drake Power Plant decommissioning, passenger rail and other community improvements (such as the bridge under Las Vegas Street and connecting the Shooks Run trail to the Legacy Loop)
- Addresses cost-effectiveness to construct and maintain the bridges. The preferred alternative is the lowest cost of all the alternatives analyzed.
CLICK HERE to view additional questions and answers about the project.