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(Colorado Springs, CO)-- June 20, 2007 -- The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado Springs Traffic Engineering and La Plata Investments are all very concerned about the number of accidents that have occurred at the three intersections of Powers Boulevard and Briargate Parkway, Union Boulevard and Old Ranch Road.
Because Powers Boulevard is a State highway, CDOT is responsible for making any changes regarding speed limits and signage. Colorado Springs Traffic Engineering has an agreement with CDOT to maintain and make changes to traffic signals. La Plata Investments, as an advocate for our homeowners in Cordera, contacted CDOT and Traffic Engineering and learned they have begun evaluating several changes to Powers Boulevard that, hopefully, will decrease the number and severity of accidents at these intersections. While this evaluation may take some time, both CDOT and City Traffic Engineering want to ensure the changes they do make are the right ones. Per CDOT and the Colorado Springs Police Department, the accidents that have occurred so far have been as a result of inattention, drivers running red lights or attempting to beat the red light, along with sight impact issues. As a result, here are some of the changes CDOT and City Traffic Engineering are investigating:
1) Light progression - Colorado Springs Traffic Engineering has plans to enhance safety for motorists traveling along Briargate Parkway, Union Boulevard and Old Ranch Road by replacing the existing LED traffic signal bulbs with the “Electronic Steerable Beam” bulbs to obscure the far-side signal lens. Motorists will only be able to see the signal they are approaching. This should eliminate any confusion from other signals located further down the roadway.
2) CDOT is currently conducting a speed study on Powers Boulevard to see if the speed limits on sections approaching these intersections should be lowered. If the speed study supports lowering the speed limit at these locations, “Reduced Speed Ahead” signs may be posted on both sides of the north and south bound lanes alerting drivers to reduce their speed. CDOT will also discuss options with the
Colorado State Patrol to see if more enforcement is available to enforce speed limits currently posted.
3) Installing advanced warning signs with flashing beacons that warn drivers when the light they are approaching is turning red. CDOT has used this on other similar roadways and will see if this application will help on Powers Boulevard.
All of these actions are expected to be short term in nature until funding can be obtained to complete the over and underpasses at Research Parkway, Briargate Parkway, Union Boulevard and Old Ranch Road. Other short term alternatives may be considered as well to mitigate the accident issues. Although funding for Powers Boulevard is not anticipated until 2020, higher than expected traffic counts on Powers Boulevard and funding availability could allow for additional funding sooner than 2020.
For more information, please contact Mark Andrews, CDOT Resident Engineer, at 719-634-2323 or Sue Renfro, Community Relations Liaison at La Plata, at 719-260-7477.
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