Residents in Colorado Springs can expect construction traffic and detours as the Park Vista South Neighborhood Drainage Improvements project kicks off on February 3. According to the City of Colorado Springs, Stormwater Enterprise (SWENT), the project which will tackle long-standing public safety and flooding issues, is set to wrap up toward the end of 2026. The work is planned between Siferd Boulevard and Date Street to Hopeful Drive, along the Templeton Gap Floodway.
The first phase of the project will result in the permanent closure of the western intersection of Siferd Boulevard and Date Street, transforming three legs of the intersection into cul-de-sacs designed to accommodate fire trucks and emergency vehicles. With the initial construction, anticipate that travelers in the area will need additional time to skirt around the closures to reach destinations such as Academy Boulevard using alternate routes like Hollow Road and Half Turn Road.
Permanent traffic detours have been announced to cater to the ongoing construction work. Motorists will need to use Hollow Road to Half Turn Road to access Academy Boulevard, while Austin Bluffs to the north portion of Siferd Boulevard can be used to reach Hopeful Drive. These changes are necessitated by the need to redirect the flow of traffic away from the construction zones, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the project's completion.
Further down the project's timeline, the focus will shift toward the Hopeful Drive bridge over the creek. Slated for replacement in fall 2025, Hopeful Drive is expected to undergo a nine-month-long full closure. The detours for this phase will be communicated with anticipation, to minimize disruptions in the day-to-day life of the municipality's denizens.
Selected for this sizable undertaking, Wildcat Construction has been contracted by the city, with the $11 million project funded through a mix of El Paso County’s American Rescue Plan Act funds and Stormwater Enterprise funds from the City of Colorado Springs. This financial collaboration underscores a concerted effort to address the community's infrastructure needs while marshaling the resources at their disposal.
