US 24 West
About the Study
The US 24 West Environmental Assessment (EA) and the US 24 West Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) are complete and available for you to download and read by clicking the appropriate link below.
- Access the US 24 West Environmental Assessment (EA)
- Review the US 24 FONSI
- Proposed Action
- Frequently Asked Questions
This multi-year journey stated in the fall of 2004. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sponsored the project and assembled the team of CDOT, FHWA and the consulting firms of CH2M HILL and Wilson & Company.
One of the additional elements proposed by the design-build contractor and accepted by CDOT as part of the I-25/Cimarron Interchange Design Build improvements project is a new road connection between 8th and US 24/Cimarron streets through the site previously cleared of the old Express Inn structure. This new quadrant cut-off road connection will greatly reduce traffic at the existing 8th Street/US 24 intersection (by 20 percent on weekdays and 40 percent on weekends). It will postpone the need for additional improvements at this location for several years. The new road connection is scheduled for completion by summer 2017.
Proposed Action
The proposed action for US 24 West from I-25 to the Manitou Avenue Exit includes the following elements:
- Maintain four through-lanes (two in each direction) between I-25 and 21st Street.
- Add two through-lanes, between 21st Street and just west of Ridge Road, for a total of six through-lanes (three in each direction).
- Replace nine bridges on US 24 and cross streets to accommodate the profile changes to US 24. Over Fountain Creek, these bridges would be built to comply with current state and local standards to reduce flooding hazards in the study area.
- Due to replacement of the nine bridges, realign and widen Fountain Creek at bridge crossings and locations where the roadway overlaps the existing channel to provide an armored low-flow channel and a widened stabilized area to accommodate the 100-year flood.
- Build single-point diamond interchange (SPDI) with a loop ramp for eastbound-to-northbound travel at US 24 and I-25. This interchange design replaces the tight diamond interchange identified in the I-25 Improvements through the Colorado Springs Urbanized Area EA (CDOT, 2004). Since that EA was approved, traffic forecasts and future traffic operations have been revised by the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG), making a SPDI design more efficient operationally.
- Naegle Road from 21st Street to 25th Street would be closed because the intersection of 21st Street and Naegle Road is too close to the US 24 and 21st Street interchange. There is inadequate room to provide a turn lane for vehicles at Naegle Road.
- The existing 25th Street bridge over Fountain Creek would be removed because it would no longer connect to Naegle Road and, therefore, provide no function. The existing 25th Street would be ended north of the Fountain Creek.
- Replace the existing at-grade intersections with interchanges at 8th Street and at 21st Street, which also includes directional interchange ramps and acceleration/deceleration lanes.
- Upgrade the US 24 and 26th Street at-grade intersection, which also includes left and right turn lanes.
- Widen the intersection of US 24 and 31st Street. Widen the 31st Street and Colorado Avenue intersection. South of US 24, 31st Street would be rebuilt to better align with the highway intersection.
- Replace the existing at-grade intersection with an overpass that carries US 24 over Ridge Road. Ridge Road would be widened between High Street and Colorado Avenue and improvements would be made to the Ridge Road and Colorado Avenue intersection.
- All improvements tie into the unimproved, existing US 24 approximately 1,800 feet west of Ridge Road. Because neither existing nor future congestion is a problem between Ridge Road and Manitou Avenue, no changes to US 24 are proposed west of Ridge Road.
- Build sidewalks on the north-south cross streets at all intersections and as a part of all interchanges.
- Connect the Midland Trail from 21st to 25th Street, with north-south trail connections at each of the interchanges and intersections along the US 24 corridor. The trail would be built to meet the City of Colorado Spring’s trail design standards and to allow clearance under the bridges for bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian crossings. Completing this east-west bicycle and pedestrian trail system was an opportunity resulting from the required roadway right-of-way acquisitions and the channel re-grading required by the bridge replacements. The trail would improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility in the study area and is consistent with community planning.
- Incorporate Transportation System Management elements such as signal timing, turn lanes, and consideration for transit stops.
Schedule
The Project as we've described it is an Environmental Assessment (EA.) The initial step is scoping. The EA is the first step in implementing improvements and this part of the project is expected to take approximately three years to complete. The major milestones in the schedule include gaining endorsement by stakeholders, developing criteria, analyzing alternatives and finally, preparation and approval of the final environmental document.
Decision Making Process
Fundamental to any successful project is the design and execution of the decision making process and its interdependency on the public process, the technical design and the environmental analysis. The US 24 West Project schedule for public input, technical decisions, and environmental analysis will be planned around the following process.
The first step is to gain endorsement on the decision making process under which the project will operate through its completion.
The next step requires a clear and thorough understanding of all stakeholder concerns about the function and service provided by US 24 West within the project area. These concerns will then be used to develop the project critical issues and the evaluation criteria.
View list of Ideas Gathered through Jan. '05
Addressing the critical issues becomes the foundation for developing solutions. Beginning with ideas that are developed into concepts and ultimately into alternatives, the stakeholders' input designs the solution. View Critical Issues with Associated Comments
Vision, Critical Issues, and Criteria Chart
The criteria, developed from the stakeholder input, will be applied to each idea, concept and alternative to measure how well they address the critical issues and meet project goals. Level 1 screening will measure ideas for effectiveness in addressing the critical issues (the need) and in meeting the goals (the purpose). Level 2 will qualitatively measure the potential solution for their effectiveness in addressing the critical issues and meeting the goals. Level 3 will be a more detailed analysis to measure the impacts of the alternatives balanced with their ability to meet the project goals.
From this analysis, alternatives will be taken forward and described in the environmental document. This document will detail the alternatives including the major transportation elements needed, mitigation, enhancements that are desired, and guidelines for implementation.
At each step in this process all stakeholders will be involved to provide ideas, input and guidance. Stakeholders for the US 24 West process include the residents and businesses along the corridor, commuters, Federal, State and Local officials, environmental and historic groups, parks, retail areas dependent on the corridor for access, and interested citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who are the sponsoring agencies for this project?
FHWA and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) are the sponsoring agencies. In addition, CDOT coordinated with US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, State Historic Preservation Office, City of Colorado Springs, and other local agencies.
Why are improvements on the corridor needed?
Constructed as a bypass in 1964, US 24 is the only highway route into the Rocky Mountains for nearly 50 miles north and south of Colorado Springs. Today the highway serves local and regional travelers between mountain communities and the Colorado Springs metropolitan area. Current travel patterns and volumes on the highway have resulted in congested conditions during peak travel periods. Continued growth in El Paso and Teller Counties will exacerbate these congested conditions if improvements are not made to the highway.
Specific operation problems along US 24 include the following:
• Local cross streets add traffic volumes to US 24 which slow speeds,
• Traffic volumes at signalized intersections exceed capacity resulting in back up traffic on the highway, and
• Unsignalized intersections have unacceptable delays to traffic trying to cross orenter US 24.
Who should I contact for more information?
The project team can be reached by phone or email.
Phone: 719-477-4970
Email: [email protected]
http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/us24west
In 2008, the project's total property acquisitions was announced at 61 commercial and 6 residential properties. Has that changed?
The Right-of-Way or the footprint of the US24 improvements has not changed since the public meeting in August of 2008. The Environmental Assessment (EA) reports both full and partial acquisitions. The EA reports the acquisitions by parcel, property ownership type, and acreage. Further the EA discusses the number of residential and business relocations that are expected to occur. Through the EA analysis it was discovered that some properties thought to contain one residence actual contained as many as 14. It was also found that some commercially zoned properties held both a business and a residence. This information has been reported in the EA. Therefore, although the numbers have changed, the actual footprint of the US 24 improvements has not changed.
Why does the proposed action keep US 24 a two-lane facility west of 31st Street?
By removing the intersection at Ridge Rd and US 24 this increases capacity of US 24 making the two lanes sufficient west of 31st Street. Three lanes are required east of 31st Street to allow space for turn lanes and 3 lanes through the intersection for east bound travel.
The 25th Street bridge is on the RTA's Priority A list for replacement. Why is this replacement needed if it’s just going to be removed in the future when the highway is improved?
Since the bridge will not be needed after the US24 improvement project, CDOT has coordinated with Colorado Springs’ staff and the City has determined not to replace the bridge as planned, but instead repair the existing structure.
Why were no bicycle lanes included in the proposed action?
For safety reasons, there are no bicycle lanes on US 24, however, the Midland bike/pedestrian and equestrian trail runs parallel to US 24 between the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail and Ridge Road. The existing four block gap between 21st Street and 25th Street will be connected by the proposed project. The project will also construct other improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the corridor. Sidewalks would be constructed along each of the cross streets to US 24 to improve pedestrian mobility to the north and south of US 24. Improvements at Ridge Road and US 24 will provide pedestrian and bicycle access to the Red Rock Canyon Open Space.
What will happen to the Fountain Creek?
In conjunction with the redesign and development efforts for US 24, CDOT, the City, highway users and adjacent landowners have joined forces to develop restoration strategies for Fountain Creek. The vision is to establish a major recreational amenity corridor or greenway along Fountain Creek. The greenway will make the US24 neighborhoods truly “walkable communities”. Water quality facilities will be incorporated into the greenway improvements. One of CDOT’s commitments as a part of the US24 project is to preserve and restore the Fountain Creek ecosystem.
How will improvements to US 24 accommodate transit?
Currently, bus service is operated by Mountain Metro Transit, a division of the City of Colorado Springs. They have four routes that operate in the US 24 corridor but none of them run on US 24. Colorado/Manitou Avenue is the existing local transit route. The Ute Pass Express was a regional demonstration bus service on US 24 between downtown Colorado Springs and mountain communities that ended in the fall of 2011. There is
private bus service running through the corridor which is provided by the casinos to their Cripple Creek businesses. The proposed action would continue to accommodate express bus service on US 24 for regional travelers and existing bus service on city streets for local travelers. At the northeast corner of US 24 and 31st Street, the proposed action would enhance transit operations in the study area by providing land for a new park and ride facility, which would be built by others.
What public outreach has been done on this project?
The project team provided a variety of opportunities for soliciting public input and involvement into the EA process. The team encouraged open communication and was responsive to all groups and individuals interested in the project. Public outreach on the US 24 West project included public open houses, neighborhood organization and small group meetings, workshops, newsletters, website postings, and media information. In addition, the following teams were also formed: Executive Leadership Team, Technical Leadership Team, Aesthetic Working Group, the Midland Greenway Advisory Committee, and the Fountain Creek Restoration Project. In addition, a project website was a dynamic tool for providing access to reports, documents, newsletters, announcements and meeting summaries. Media relations played an active role in disseminating information about the project. Additionally, a public website has been used to provide updated information on the project, www.coloradodot.info/projects/us24west.
What are the next steps?
The EA document will be released for a 45 day public review and comment period in early summer of 2012. A public hearing will be held during that time to present information and solicit public and agency comments. Following the public comment period, CDOT and Federal Highway Administration will consider and address all comments and publish a decision document.
What is the cost of the project? What is the construction schedule?
The project is included in the “Moving Forward Update” (the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan) adopted in January 2012 by the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG). The estimated cost for US24 improvements, from Ridge Road to 8th Street, is $230 million for construction and $50 million for right-of-way. These costs do not include improvements at I-25/Cimarron. This interchange is listed separately in the Regional Transportation Plan with a cost estimate of $95 million.
The Regional Transportation Plan assumes that the Proposed Action would be built in phases over several years as funding comes available. To facilitate implementation of the entire project, the US 24 corridor has been broken into construction packages that can be built independently and upon completion, will provide immediate benefits to the community. The timing for each phase is dependent on future funding.
How is the I-25/Cimarron interchange related to the US24 improvements?
I-25 /Cimarron interchange was approved as a part of the I-25 EA in 2004. During the US24 design, modifications to the I-25/Cimarron interchange were suggested that would improve operations for both US24 and the interchange. These modifications have been discussed in the US24 EA. The I-25/Cimarron project is identified in the PPACG 2035 Regional Transportation Plan as a separate project.
Will noise walls be constructed as part of the project?
After conducting a noise analysis for the proposed action, CDOT determined that noise walls would be reasonable and feasible along US 24 at the following locations:
| Area | Height | Approximate Length |
|---|---|---|
| 11th Street to 14th Street | 18 feet | 1,400 to 1,500 feet |
| A-1 Mobile Homes | 15 feet | 1,400 to 1,500 feet |
| Red Canyon Place | 15 feet | 800 to 1,000 feet |
These walls are forecasted to mitigate noise levels for 110 residences along US 24.
How did the public’s ideas influence this project?
The public’s input helped craft the vision, the critical issues and criteria. Additionally, they contributed many of the 395 ideas, nine potential solutions and two alternatives that were evaluated. Specifically, there were 51 ideas from the public that influenced the design of the proposed action. These ideas from the public have been highlighted in the booklet “Shifting Gears” prepared by the project team. Public input influenced the Aesthetic Guidelines, the design speed, the economic analysis, and the Fountain Creek
Greenway Master Plan.
What has CDOT done to address Aesthetics in the corridor?
Aesthetic Guidelines were developed in conjunction with the community stakeholders. These guidelines provide direction for project features such as wall and bridge treatments. These guidelines are available on the web site, www.coloradodot.info/projects/us24west.
What is likely to be the first project on the corridor?
The 8th Street and I-25/Cimarron interchanges are the highest priority on the corridor. This does not preclude other projects as funding becomes available.
How will this project coordinate with the Gold Hill Mesa Development?
The US24 team has coordinated with the Gold Hill Mesa development continually throughout the project development. Gold Hill Mesa access needs were included in the US24 improvement analysis. The recent Fountain Creek Restoration at Gold Hill Mesa is an example of the partnership formed among CDOT, the City of Colorado Springs and Gold Hill Mesa to move improvements forward.
Why doesn’t this project include the Manitou Avenue Interchange?
The US 24 project does not include improvements at the Manitou Avenue interchange because analysis of existing and future safety and traffic operations indicate that improvements are not needed.
Were high occupancy lanes (HOV) lanes studied for the corridor?
Yes. HOV lanes were suggested as a solution in the beginning of the project, as was light rail to Teller County. A member of the Technical Leadership Team, representing Mountain Metro Transit reviewed these suggestions and the long range plans for transit on US24 and found that US 24 West was not planned as an HOV corridor nor a light rail corridor.
What is going on with the Express Inn?
A. CDOT has identified the Express Inn as a property needed to complete improvements for the interchange upgrades at I-25/Cimarron and 8th Street. CDOT does not currently own this property.
51 ways the community shaped the solution for US 24 West
- What are Context Sensitive Solutions?
- Critical Issues
- Ideas
- Finding a Balance
- Potential Alternatives
Concepts that Shaped the Project
- Use Garden of the Gods interchange design at the Cimarron interchange
- Improve Colorado Avenue and connections to US 24
- Improve safety and widen cross streets
- Widen US 24 and add general purpose lanes
- Widen at-grade signalized intersections
- Combine the I-25 and 8th street interchanges
- Connect the Midland Trail to Red Rock Canyon Open Space
- Build a pedestrian/bike/horse underpass at the 21st Street bridge that crosses Fountain Creek
- Extend the Midland Trail to enhance pedestrian mobility from 21st to 31st Street
- Leave open the Midland Trail underpass to America the Beautiful Park at I-25
- Add safety crossing features
- Add sidewalk to the bridges between Colorado Avenue and US 24
- Eliminate the frontage road and use the land to move the main line away from the neighborhood
- For overpasses, consider the environmental impacts of the over/under configurations
- Improve acceleration and deceleration lanes
- The roadway should have wide shoulders
- Cut back the rock slope at 31st Street to keep rocks off the roadway
- Low maintenance medians
- Use urban landscaping approaches in the urban section
- Develop green spaces along the corridor
- Use architectural treatments to structures that match the context of the corridor
- Choose a palette of colors to match the environment
- Enhance Fountain Creek and make it a focal point
- Need public input. Need to know what's important to the community
- Include historic looking lamp posts
- Include an entryway feature into Colorado Springs at the western limit of the project
- Incorporate iron work into the aesthetic treatments
- Capture economic vitality in the criteria
- Enhance the riparian environment
- Include noise barriers
- Use native grasses and plants in the re-vegetation
- Avoid the Midland Roundhouse
- Preserve historical features
- Control run-off from the road into Fountain Creek
- Look at alternative modes along the corridor
- Midland trail street crossing result in conflicts with cars
- Have Ridge Road go under US 24 so it's safer for humans and wildlife
- Don't impact the Safeway between 31st Street and Ridge Road
- Don't overload Colorado Avenue by moving traffic off of US 24
- Make the corridor look better
- Connect the neighborhoods
- Create partnerships to develop open space, parks and other community facilities
- Provide access across US 24 from the near-west end to Gold Hill Mesa
- Build a parallel trail on the south side of US 24
- Pedestrian overpass at 25th Street
- Consider a riverwalk for Fountain Creek
Planning Documents Reviewed by the US 24 Project Team
Planning Study Reviews
City of Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan - January 2001
City of Colorado Springs Bicycle Planning Documents (Incorporates the Intermodal Transportation Plan Chapter, Colorado Springs Bicycle Plan, PPACG 2020 Regional Transportation Plan Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Plan) - June 2001
City of Colorado Springs Intermodal Transportation Plan - April 2001
City of Colorado Springs Pikes Peak Regional Park and Ride Plan Final Technical Memorandum - March 2003
City of Colorado Springs 2030 Public Transportation Plan - September 2004
El Paso County Major Transportation Corridors Plan
Gold Hill Mesa Traffic Study - 2004
I-25 Mode Feasibility Analysis - December 2000
I-25 Environmental Assessment - September 2004
Manitou Springs Rainbow Vision Plan - 2000
Midland/Fountain Creek Parkway Corridor Plan - 1988
Midland Master Plan: Amendment to the Westside Plan - 1986
Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation - March 2005
PPACG 2030 Regional Transportation Plan - October 2004
PPACG Transportation Improvement Plan, 2005-2010 - October 2004
Sustaining Nature and Community in the Pike Peak Region: A Sourcebook for Analyzing Regional Cumulative Effects - December 2003
US 24 Safety/Corridor Study: Colorado Springs to Woodland Park - 1996
Other Planning Studies for Reference
Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Trails Master Plan - January 2000
City of Colorado Springs Open Space Plan - 1997
Colorado Springs Rapid Transit Feasibility Study - 2004
East – West Mobility Study - January 2002
El Paso County Master Plan - Current
Fountain Creek Watershed Plan - November 2003
Manitou Springs Open Space Plan - 1997
Mesa Springs Community Plan - July 1986
The Pikes Peak Greenway Master Plan - January 1994
Pikes Peak Multi-Use Plan - September 1999
Red Rock Canyon Open Space Master Plan - May 2004
State Highway No. 4 Plan and Proposed Profile - 1959
Survey of Critical Biological Resources: El Paso County, Colorado - December 2001
Survey of Critical Wetlands and Riparian Areas in El Paso and Pueblo Counties, Colorado - June 2001
Ute Pass Comprehensive Plan - February 1982
Zoning Map Book, City of Colorado Springs - October 1995
Aesthetic Working Group Sessions
Three Aesthetic Working Group Sessions were held at the Community Partnership for Child Development
2330 Robinson Street, Colorado Springs
Exhibits from the January 21, 2009 Session
Exhibits from the November 19, 2008 Session
Exhibits from the 4-22-09 Aesthetic Working Group
Design Guidelines
esthetics Guidelines Intro and Urban, View pages 1-18
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 1.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 2.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 3.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 4.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 5.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 6.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 7.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 8.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 9.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 10.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 11.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 12.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 13.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 14.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 15.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 16.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 17.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 18.pdf
Aesthetic Guidelines Rural, View Pages 19-26
- US24_DesignGuidelines Rural Section 19.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Rural Section 20.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Rural Section 21.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Rural Section 22.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Rural Section 23.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Rural Section 24.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Rural Section 25.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Rural Section 26.pdf
Appendix, View Pages 27-43
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 27.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 28.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 29.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 30.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 31.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 32.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 33.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 34.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 35.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 36.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 37.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 38.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 39.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 40.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 41.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 42.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix 43.pdf
- US24_DesignGuidelines Intro and Urban Section 1.pdf
- 38MB
- US24_DesignGuidelines Rural Section.pdf
- 18MB
- US24_DesignGuidelines Appendix.pdf
- 38MB
US 24 West Environmental Assessment May 2012
The Colorado Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration have completed an EA regarding the impacts of the safety and capacity improvements for the US 24 West in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
You may download and read the EA by clicking on the links below:
Chapter 3 – Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Chapter 4 –Section 4(f) Evaluation
Chapter 5 – Agency Coordination and Public Involvement
Appendix A – Alternatives Maps
Appendix B – Alternatives Analysis
Appendix C – Technical Memoranda
Appendix D – Agency Correspondence
Appendix E – Public Involvement Coordination
Appendix F – Corridor Aesthetic Guidelines
Appendix G – Wetland Finding Report
Appendix H – Section 106 Consultation
Appendix I – Mitigation Agreements for Section 4(f) Use
Get Involved
Exhibits from the Public Open House meetings and the Aesthetics Working Group sessions.
Exhibits from the June 11, 2012 Public Meeting
Aesthetics Working Group Sessions:
Exhibits from the 4-22-09 Aesthetic Working Group
Exhibits from the Aesthetic Working Group Session 1-19-09
Exhibits from the Aesthetic Working Group Session 11-19-08
Public Open House Meetings:
Exhibits from the Open House Thursday, August 28, 2008
Information from Formal Presentation Thursday, August 24, 2006
Exhibits from the Open House Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Exhibits from the Open House January 26, 2006
Exhibits from the Open House November 10, 2005
Exhibits from June 21, 2005
Exhibits from April 14, 2005
Exhibits from January 20, 2005
Exhibits from November. 18, 2004
Environmental Assessment
An Environmental Assessment (EA) is a comprehensive study that evaluates potential impacts, both positive and negative, of alternative actions under consideration. An EA was prepared for US 24 West to provide decision makers at the Federal Highway Administration and the Colorado Department of Transportation with information on no-action and build alternatives, including potential impacts to the built, natural, and social environments that may occur within the project study area. The EA will help agency officials decide which project alternative to approve based on the environmental consequences of each alternative.
View Powerpoint "Environmental Early Data Collection"
Planning Documents Reviewed by the US 24 Project Team
The EA for US 24 West evaluated potential impacts to resources such as right of way, air quality, noise, cultural resources, hazardous waste, low income and minority populations, neighborhoods and land use. Proposed mitigation measures to minimize or avoid potential impacts were identified in the EA.
If there are no significant impacts from the proposed action, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is prepared. If the EA indicates significant impacts will occur from the proposed action, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared. The EA is being prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.
Copies of the Environmental Assessment are available in hard copy format for public review at the following locations and/or by request from CDOT Region 2.
Questions about this project may be directed to:
Mail: US 24 EA Comments c/o Wilson & Company
5755 Mark Dabling Boulevard, Suite 220
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919-2200
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 719-477-4970
Fax: 719-520-0108
Resources
Related Studies
- Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Long Range Transportation Plan
- Planning Documents Reviewed by the US 24 Project Team
- A Unique Outcome from the Application of Context Sensitive Solutions
Related Links (City, County, CDOT, FHWA, and other related links)
- State of Colorado
- Federal Highways Administration
- Federal Transportation Administration
- Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments
- City of Colorado Springs
- City of Colorado Springs Transit
- El Paso County
- City of Manitou Springs
Press Room
Resources
- Midland Greenway Brochure January 2009
- Postcard March 2008
- Newsletters:
- Fact Sheets
- Other Fact Sheets
- What are the Problems?
- Background Information
- Project Planning
- Alternatives
- Since you asked
- Traffic and Design Details
- Traffic Operations
- History
- Team
- What is an EA?
- Additional Corridor Elements
- Answers to Recent Questions
- Background Information
- Economic Facts
- Follow up to Questions and Comments
- Key Messages from the Level 3 Analysis
- Level 3 Evaluation of Alternatives
- Noise Brochure
- Traffic Design Details
- Traffic Operations
- What are the Problems
Media Kits and Press Releases
- Build Alternative Descriptions with Details
- CDOT Focuses on the Future of US 24 from Manitou Springs to I-25
- Public Meeting to be held January 20, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held April 14, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held June 21, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held Nov.10, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held January 26, 2006
- CDOT identifies the Midland Expressway as the Recommended Alternative for US 24 West 4-12-06
- Public Meeting to be held May 10, 2006
- CDOT to give formal presentation on US 24 West Design Option Evaluation 8-24-06
The proposed action for US 24 West from I-25 to the Manitou Avenue Exit includes the following elements:
- Maintain four through-lanes (two in each direction) between I-25 and 21st Street.
- Add two through-lanes, between 21st Street and just west of Ridge Road, for a total of six through-lanes (three in each direction).
- Replace nine bridges on US 24 and cross streets to accommodate the profile changes to US 24. Over Fountain Creek, these bridges would be built to comply with current state and local standards to reduce flooding hazards in the study area.
- Due to replacement of the nine bridges, realign and widen Fountain Creek at bridge crossings and locations where the roadway overlaps the existing channel to provide an armored low-flow channel and a widened stabilized area to accommodate the 100-year flood.
- Build single-point diamond interchange (SPDI) with a loop ramp for eastbound-to-northbound travel at US 24 and I-25. This interchange design replaces the tight diamond interchange identified in the I-25 Improvements through the Colorado Springs Urbanized Area EA (CDOT, 2004). Since that EA was approved, traffic forecasts and future traffic operations have been revised by the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG), making a SPDI design more efficient operationally.
- Naegle Road from 21st Street to 25th Street would be closed because the intersection of 21st Street and Naegle Road is too close to the US 24 and 21st Street interchange. There is inadequate room to provide a turn lane for vehicles at Naegle Road.
- The existing 25th Street bridge over Fountain Creek would be removed because it would no longer connect to Naegle Road and, therefore, provide no function. The existing 25th Street would be ended north of the Fountain Creek.
- Replace the existing at-grade intersections with interchanges at 8th Street and at 21st Street, which also includes directional interchange ramps and acceleration/deceleration lanes.
- Upgrade the US 24 and 26th Street at-grade intersection, which also includes left and right turn lanes.
- Widen the intersection of US 24 and 31st Street. Widen the 31st Street and Colorado Avenue intersection. South of US 24, 31st Street would be rebuilt to better align with the highway intersection.
- Replace the existing at-grade intersection with an overpass that carries US 24 over Ridge Road. Ridge Road would be widened between High Street and Colorado Avenue and improvements would be made to the Ridge Road and Colorado Avenue intersection.
- All improvements tie into the unimproved, existing US 24 approximately 1,800 feet west of Ridge Road. Because neither existing nor future congestion is a problem between Ridge Road and Manitou Avenue, no changes to US 24 are proposed west of Ridge Road.
- Build sidewalks on the north-south cross streets at all intersections and as a part of all interchanges.
- Connect the Midland Trail from 21st to 25th Street, with north-south trail connections at each of the interchanges and intersections along the US 24 corridor. The trail would be built to meet the City of Colorado Spring’s trail design standards and to allow clearance under the bridges for bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian crossings. Completing this east-west bicycle and pedestrian trail system was an opportunity resulting from the required roadway right-of-way acquisitions and the channel re-grading required by the bridge replacements. The trail would improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility in the study area and is consistent with community planning.
- Incorporate Transportation System Management elements such as signal timing, turn lanes, and consideration for transit stops.
Exhibits from the Public Open House meetings and the Aesthetics Working Group sessions.
Exhibits from the June 11, 2012 Public Meeting
Aesthetics Working Group Sessions:
Exhibits from the 4-22-09 Aesthetic Working Group
Exhibits from the Aesthetic Working Group Session 1-19-09
Exhibits from the Aesthetic Working Group Session 11-19-08
Public Open House Meetings:
Exhibits from the Open House Thursday, August 28, 2008
Information from Formal Presentation Thursday, August 24, 2006
Exhibits from the Open House Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Exhibits from the Open House January 26, 2006
Exhibits from the Open House November 10, 2005
Exhibits from June 21, 2005
Exhibits from April 14, 2005
Exhibits from January 20, 2005
Exhibits from November. 18, 2004
Environmental Assessment
An Environmental Assessment (EA) is a comprehensive study that evaluates potential impacts, both positive and negative, of alternative actions under consideration. An EA was prepared for US 24 West to provide decision makers at the Federal Highway Administration and the Colorado Department of Transportation with information on no-action and build alternatives, including potential impacts to the built, natural, and social environments that may occur within the project study area. The EA will help agency officials decide which project alternative to approve based on the environmental consequences of each alternative.
View Powerpoint "Environmental Early Data Collection"
Planning Documents Reviewed by the US 24 Project Team
The EA for US 24 West evaluated potential impacts to resources such as right of way, air quality, noise, cultural resources, hazardous waste, low income and minority populations, neighborhoods and land use. Proposed mitigation measures to minimize or avoid potential impacts were identified in the EA.
If there are no significant impacts from the proposed action, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is prepared. If the EA indicates significant impacts will occur from the proposed action, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared. The EA is being prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.
Copies of the Environmental Assessment are available in hard copy format for public review at the following locations and/or by request from CDOT Region 2.
Questions about this project may be directed to:
Mail: US 24 EA Comments c/o Wilson & Company
5755 Mark Dabling Boulevard, Suite 220
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919-2200
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 719-477-4970
Fax: 719-520-0108
Resources
Related Studies
- Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Long Range Transportation Plan
- Planning Documents Reviewed by the US 24 Project Team
- A Unique Outcome from the Application of Context Sensitive Solutions
Related Links (City, County, CDOT, FHWA, and other related links)
- State of Colorado
- Federal Highways Administration
- Federal Transportation Administration
- Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments
- City of Colorado Springs
- City of Colorado Springs Transit
- El Paso County
- City of Manitou Springs
Press Room
Resources
- Midland Greenway Brochure January 2009
- Postcard March 2008
- Newsletters:
- Fact Sheets
- Other Fact Sheets
- What are the Problems?
- Background Information
- Project Planning
- Alternatives
- Since you asked
- Traffic and Design Details
- Traffic Operations
- History
- Team
- What is an EA?
- Additional Corridor Elements
- Answers to Recent Questions
- Background Information
- Economic Facts
- Follow up to Questions and Comments
- Key Messages from the Level 3 Analysis
- Level 3 Evaluation of Alternatives
- Noise Brochure
- Traffic Design Details
- Traffic Operations
- What are the Problems
Media Kits and Press Releases
- Build Alternative Descriptions with Details
- CDOT Focuses on the Future of US 24 from Manitou Springs to I-25
- Public Meeting to be held January 20, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held April 14, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held June 21, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held Nov.10, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held January 26, 2006
- CDOT identifies the Midland Expressway as the Recommended Alternative for US 24 West 4-12-06
- Public Meeting to be held May 10, 2006
- CDOT to give formal presentation on US 24 West Design Option Evaluation 8-24-06
An Environmental Assessment (EA) is a comprehensive study that evaluates potential impacts, both positive and negative, of alternative actions under consideration. An EA was prepared for US 24 West to provide decision makers at the Federal Highway Administration and the Colorado Department of Transportation with information on no-action and build alternatives, including potential impacts to the built, natural, and social environments that may occur within the project study area. The EA will help agency officials decide which project alternative to approve based on the environmental consequences of each alternative.
View Powerpoint "Environmental Early Data Collection"
Planning Documents Reviewed by the US 24 Project Team
The EA for US 24 West evaluated potential impacts to resources such as right of way, air quality, noise, cultural resources, hazardous waste, low income and minority populations, neighborhoods and land use. Proposed mitigation measures to minimize or avoid potential impacts were identified in the EA.
If there are no significant impacts from the proposed action, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is prepared. If the EA indicates significant impacts will occur from the proposed action, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared. The EA is being prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.
- Build Alternative Descriptions with Details
- CDOT Focuses on the Future of US 24 from Manitou Springs to I-25
- Public Meeting to be held January 20, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held April 14, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held June 21, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held Nov.10, 2005
- Public Meeting to be held January 26, 2006
- CDOT identifies the Midland Expressway as the Recommended Alternative for US 24 West 4-12-06
- Public Meeting to be held May 10, 2006
- CDOT to give formal presentation on US 24 West Design Option Evaluation 8-24-06
