US 24 & Judge Orr Road Intersection Improvements | Design Phase
About the Project
The Colorado Department of Transportation is designing improvements to the US Highway 24 and Judge Orr Road intersection, located between Mile Point 322 and MP 323, just west of Meadow Lake Airport.
Safety concerns have been identified at this location by CDOT and community members. Increasing traffic volumes fueled by development in the area create traffic flow concerns. The proximity of the Blue Gill Drive intersection and the Rock Island Trail add to vehicle conflicts and safety issues.
Schedule & Important Dates
- Design/Study start date: Spring 2024
- Design finalized: Spring 2026
- Construction expected to begin: Summer/Fall 2027
Following a technical evaluation of improvement options, CDOT determined a roundabout at US 24 and Judge Orr Road will best improve safety and traffic flow.
In adherence to the US 24 Access Control Plan, the existing northern connection of Blue Gill Drive to US 24 will be eliminated. A cul-de-sac will be constructed at the northern extent of Blue Gill Drive. Business and residential access to and from Blue Gill Drive will be maintained. A new roadway connection between Blue Gill Drive and US 24 will be constructed through El Paso County property approximately one-half mile to the southwest of the existing intersection. The US 24 intersection with the new road will be unsignalized and will be a continuous T intersection, allowing through traffic on US 24 to continue without stopping and allowing right-in/right-out and left-in/left out turns.
Project Area
The project is located on US 24 between Mile Point 322 and MP 323, just west of Meadow Lake Airport and approximately 18 miles northeast of downtown Colorado Springs.
CDOT conducted a Planning and Environmental Linkages study in 2018 to examine conditions and anticipated problem areas along the US 24 corridor in El Paso County, between Powers Boulevard (CO 21) and the Town of Ramah. The study recommended a range of transportation improvements along the corridor and concluded that the intersection of US 24 and Judge Orr Road is a high priority for improvements.
As part of the PEL study, understanding the ideas, perspectives and needs of the community and stakeholders in the corridor was critical to building broadly supported decisions and solutions for the project. CDOT requested input from the local jurisdictions, regional partners, and the community to inform the study. More information and its findings on the US 24 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study is online here.
In addition to the PEL, an Access Control Plan (ACP) for US 24 was developed to improve operations within the corridor by controlling access points on and off the corridor. The US 24 ACP is a collective effort by CDOT, El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs. The first ACP was developed in 2005 and updates were drafted following the PEL. The updates included a revision at Judge Orr that will be finalized following the identified improvements for the current design project.
