AASHTO Journal, 25 April 2014
Colorado Department of Transportation officials announced the department can officially begin a freeway project to increase safety, improve mobility, and meet future travel demands along Interstate 25 through Pueblo after the Federal Highway Administration last week signed the Record of Decision for the project.
The approximately $305.6 million New Pueblo Freeway project tackles a number of issues on I-25 in the area, such as roadway reconstruction, bridge replacement, lane additions, straightening the interstate through downtown, interchange reconstruction, adding and/or widening shoulders, and creating trails and bridges for improved bike and pedestrian access. CDOT officials say the project is needed to address safety problems (fix narrow shoulders and lengthen on and off ramps, for example) and mobility problems (as I-25 interchanges through Pueblo do not connect to “appropriate” city streets, and also do not meet future needs).
“Today’s ROD signing is a significant milestone for the citizens of Pueblo and Colorado,” said CDOT Region Two Transportation Director Tom Wrona in a statement. “Getting to this point is a great example of what can be accomplished when everyone comes together to improve our transportation system. I want to thank all the individuals involved in this process for their dedication, perseverance and contributions over the last several years.”
CDOT officials expect to begin work this fall on the project, starting with the reconstruction of I-25 between Ilex Street and 1st Street while also replacing the Ilex Street Bridge. The other project components will be tackled “as funding allows,” according to CDOT.
Additional information on the New Pueblo Freeway project is available at NewPuebloFreeway.org.