The Powers Link

The Powers Corridor has been in the making since 1964. El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs have been working through the regional planning process since then to develop Powers as a major north/south roadway on the east side of the City. Because of Powers' importance in regional mobility, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is now leading the effort to investigate and implement improvements necessary to meet future travel demand.

Web Site: http://www.thepowerslink.com

Project Notes:

• A design was approved for an I-25/Northgate Interchange in September 2004 as part of the I-25 Environmental Assessment. The interchange will maintain the Air Force Academy’s access via Northgate Road and have fully directional movements between I-25 and Powers Boulevard with depressed ramps to minimize the visual impact.

• The extension of Powers Boulevard north to State Highway 83 was completed in 2005/2006.

• In February of 2005 the Powers Environmental Assessment Team met with property owners along Powers Boulevard to discuss revisions to the proposed design in response to comments and concerns. The following Spring and Summer, they met with property owners in one-on-one meetings. A public meeting was held in August 2005 to discuss the Environmental Assessment and conceptual design.

• With the Mode Feasibility Study/Corridor Assessment (MFS/CA) complete, work proceeded into concept design for the Highway Alternative. The designs are now being assessed for impacts to the built and natural environment. The Environmental Assessment for the Highway 16 to I-25 segment was completed in 2007 and the section form Highway 16 to Woodman Road is expected to be done in 2009. Along with the freeway alternatives, CDOT is incorporating other strategies to reduce congestion, such as express buses, local buses, transportation management, and bicycles/pedestrian options.

• When voters formed the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority and approved a one percent sales tax in November of 2004, included was funding for the City of Colorado Springs to work with CDOT on early property acquisitions to preserve the Powers Corridor within City limits.

Project Hotline: 719-598-LINK (5465)

City Project Manager:
Tim Roberts, Senior Transportation Planner
385-5481 or troberts@springsgov.com

CDOT Contact:
Don Garcia, Project Manager
494-0449 or Don.Garcia@dot.state.co.us

Consultant:
J.F. Sato & Associates
303-797-1200 or JFSato@jfsato.com

PPRTA Powers Boulevard Right-of-Way Protection

Project Description: The City of Colorado Springs is using PPRTA funds to protect and acquire right-of-way along Powers Boulevard from Woodman Road to Highway 16 (Peaceful Valley Road) to ensure that future Powers Boulevard construction options are not eliminated due to continued development.

PPRTA funding: $6.1 Million

CDOT budgeted funding: approximately $6 Million

City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with CDOT on Feb. 13 or 2007 that defines the responsibilities of the City and CDOT in using PPRTA funding to acquire properties along Powers Boulevard. The IGA ensures that 1) RTA funds are spent in the most prudent manner to protect the capability to make future corridor improvements, 2) federal requirements for early property acquisition are met, and 3) property owners are fairly compensated. The IGA also gives priority to acquiring properties needed for the Steward Avenue interchange, located at the Airport Road entrance to the Peterson Air Force Base.

Timing of acquisitions depends on the availability of land and potential development. Survey work completed in 2006 totaled $98,829. As of mid-2008, CDOT had acquired five properties on the City’s behalf at a total cost of $1.5M. Most remaining acquisitions are expected to take place throughout the rest of 2008 and 2009.