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Fillmore/Union improvements to conclude with opening of first Triple Left Turn Lane

The second City and Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) capital project is coming to completion and when it does, drivers will experience something new to Colorado Springs... triple left turn lanes.

To drive the triple left turn lanes, all drivers need to do is stay in their lane - just as they should while making any turn. Those on the inside lane should turn into the inside lane, those in the middle lane turn into in the middle lane and those in the outside lane should turn into the outside lane.

To help drivers, the City is making these turn lanes wider than typical, 14 to 16 feet rather than 11 to 12 feet, marking the lanes with dotted white lines through the intersection, and informing the public about the new feature.

The triple left turn lanes are part of construction improvements along Fillmore from Hancock to Union and at the Union and Fillmore intersection designed to increase safety and decrease congestion. The triple left turn lanes are particularly needed here because, unlike most intersections, the number of vehicles turning exceeds the number of vehicles continuing straight through. Other improvements include a new southbound through lane on Union, extended acceleration and deceleration lanes, other new turn lanes, new medians, new traffic signals, ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, improved drainage, and sections of new curb and gutter. This almost $2.7 million project is finishing a few weeks behind schedule due to extreme weather this past winter and may come in slightly over budget due to unexpected field conditions.

The last push to complete construction on the Fillmore/Union improvements will involve milling, overlay and striping work 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 9, 10, 11, and Monday, May 14 plus the coming weekend, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 12 and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 13. The third left turn lane, currently closed, should open early next week unless resurfacing is delayed due to weather.

Approximately 100,000 vehicle trips are made through this intersection daily.

Interview and Photo Opportunity
11 a.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2007

We have secured rooftop access to the Audubon Medical Center for overview shots of the Union/Fillmore intersection and project construction. Sturdy shoes are strongly recommended. The Audubon Medical Center is located on the southeast corner of the intersection. The facility entrance is off of Circle; follow the loading dock signs to the northwest corner of the building. Available for interviews will be:

Sr. Civil Engineer and Project Manager Andy Garton regarding the project

Colorado Springs Police Lieutenant Steven Tobias regarding driving triple left turn lanes

City of Colorado Springs Fillmore Street Capital Project

Fillmore/Union Improvements/Templeton Gap Rd. to Hancock Ave./El Paso St. Intersection ($500,000): The intent of these corridor improvements is to combine three projects into a single design and construction project.
-         Fillmore/Union Intersection. The intent of the Corridor improvements is to combine two safety and traffic operations improvement projects into a single design and construction project. Add an eastbound left-turn lane, add a southbound through lane, add a south-bound right-turn lane, modify the westbound lanes through to Templeton Gap Rd., extend the northbound acceleration/deceleration lane to

-         Templeton Gap Rd. to Hancock Ave. Widen to provide for a third through lane, and a right-turn lane at Hancock Ave. Reconstruction of curb, gutter, sidewalks and driveways as needed. Provide new traffic signals and a new storm drain.

-         El Paso St. Intersection. Rebuild the traffic signal, change the traffic signal phasing to provide protected left-turn and pedestrian phases, and replace curb and gutter for better turning radii for vehicles.

Total estimated project cost: $2,602,000
Final Design/ROW/Bid – September 2005 to October 2006; Construction – September 2006 to March 2007.

For more information regarding the Pikes Peak RTA please contact Rick Sonnenburg, PPRTA Program/Contract Manager rsonnenburg@ppacg.org. If there are questions regarding this website please contact Jayne Blewitt at jblewitt@ppacg.org.