Diverging diamond interchange construction substantially complete at CO 21 Powers Boulevard and Airport Road

News Release

Sept. 29, 2026 - Southeastern Colorado - CDOT celebrates major milestone as new diverging diamond interchange opens alongside I-25 and MAMSIP improvements

Colorado Springs — The Colorado Department of Transportation is nearing completion of the Colorado Highway 21/Powers Boulevard and Airport Road diverging diamond interchange project. Earlier today, CDOT celebrated the project’s progress, along with the I-25 Acceleration/Deceleration Lanes Fillmore Street to Garden of the Gods Road Project, and the collection of projects known as MAMSIP (Military Access, Mobility and Safety Improvement Project), with a ribbon cutting.

"What we've delivered in this region through the CDOT 10-Year Plan and what we continue to deliver, is a story of people coming together from across different levels of government," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. "This celebration shows progress and is really an endorsement for the collaborative partnership that has happened here in El Paso County."

This CDOT 10-Year Plan priority project began in June 2024. Because the new interchange ramps and bridges were constructed slightly north of the existing signalized intersection, much of the project was built with minimal disruption to traffic. More than 50,000 travelers pass through the area each day, making it essential to maintain traffic flow near Peterson Space Force Base and the Colorado Springs Airport.

"These infrastructure projects are absolutely vital to the work that occurs on Peterson (Space Force Base) and the families that live on Peterson," said Space Base Delta 1 Commander Colonel Charles Cooper. "The completion of the new interchange at Powers and Airport Boulevard is a huge step right at the front door of the base."

The new configuration, which carries Airport Road traffic over Powers Boulevard, has already improved mobility and reduced congestion. Periodic lane closures and traffic shifts are expected through October as crews complete the remaining work.

“The new diverging diamond interchange at Powers Boulevard and Airport Road is a major win for Colorado Springs drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike,” said CDOT Region 2 Transportation Director Shane Ferguson. “By carrying Airport Road traffic smoothly over Powers Boulevard, this project effectively addresses congestion, improves overall safety, and enhances mobility for the more than 50,000 travelers who pass through this vital corridor every day.”

The DDI design was selected to address congestion, improve safety and add multimodal facilities that provide a safer, more comfortable travel experience for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Similar interchanges have been constructed at Fillmore Street and I-25, Research Parkway and Powers Boulevard, and several other locations across Colorado. WW Clyde was awarded a $46-million contract to construct the interchange.

Motorists travel on the new Airport Road diverging diamond interchange over Powers Boulevard/CO 21.
Motorists travel on the new Airport Road diverging diamond interchange over Powers Boulevard/CO 21.

City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Peterson Space Force Base, FHWA and CDOT officials at the CDOT Ribbon Cutting celebrating the completion of three major Colorado Springs area projects.
City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Peterson Space Force Base, FHWA and CDOT officials at the CDOT Ribbon Cutting celebrating the completion of three major Colorado Springs area projects.


Project Information

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