8th Street Construction
Lane closures both directions next few weeks
Starting on Monday, Jan. 19, motorists will encounter lane closures in both directions of 8th Street from US Highway 24 to Motor City Drive. These closures will last into early February.
What to Expect:
Beginning Monday, Jan. 19
Starting Monday, the northbound right lane of 8th Street closes at 9 a.m. from approximately 400 feet south of the Fountain Creek bridge to the eastbound Highway 24 frontage road.
- This closure will last approximately four weeks while crews rebuild sidewalks, driveways, and roadway features.
- When this phase is complete, the northbound turn lane to the eastbound US Highway 24 frontage road will reopen. Eastbound traffic from 8th Street is currently detoured one block north to US Highway 24.
- The westbound frontage road from US Highway 24 to southbound 8th Street remains open during this work.
Short duration lane closures will also occur on southbound 8th Street from Highway 24 to Bear Creek.
- This work is necessary so crews can locate utilities under 8th Street.
- Lane closures will move along northbound 8th Street throughout the day as work advances. This work is expected to last several days.
- When crews finish on the northbound side of 8th Street, they’ll move to southbound 8th Street, from Motor City Drive to US Highway 24, with temporary lane closures over several days.
- Crews also will locate utilities on 8th Street between US Highway 24 and Cucharrras Street.
Access to local businesses will remain open and clearly visible at all times with signage for access if needed. Minor slowdowns are expected at peak travel times. Motorists are encouraged to avoid blocking business driveways during this work.
Stay informed!
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Background
The project will address infrastructure and mobility needs on 8th Street between Fountain Creek to Motor City Drive. More than 30,000 vehicles use this road daily. It serves as an important link to businesses and neighborhoods southwest of Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 24.
This PPRTA-funded project was approved by voters in 2012. Initial design work showed that, in addition to road improvements, the corridor needed other significant infrastructure upgrades. Needs included drainage improvements, safer multimodal access, increased capacity on the bridge carrying traffic across Fountain Creek, and a new water main under the roadway.
Project Area
Key Elements
- Widening of the 8th Street bridge over Fountain Creek. This includes the addition of a northbound lane with attached sidewalk/trail for improved access to Highway 24 and the Midland Trail.
- Drainage improvements from Bear Creek to Moreno Avenue.
- Addition of sidewalks and curb and gutter on 8th Street from Fountain Creek to Lower Gold Camp Road.
- Asphalt overlay of 8th Street from Motor City Drive to Highway 24.
- Traffic signal improvements on 8th Street at Lower Gold Camp Road and Moreno Avenue.
- Replacement of a 24-inch water main under 8th Street, from Vermijo Avenue to Motor City Drive.
Schedule
The project will be built in three phases now that the study and design are completed. Work starts with widening the bridge over Fountain Creek. This eases traffic impacts during later construction phases by providing additional traffic capacity and mobility. It also, improves pedestrian and bike access along that stretch of 8th Street.
- Summer-Fall 2025: Widen 8th Street bridge over Fountain Creek
- Fall–Winter 2025: Replace water main, Vermijo Avenue to Motor City Drive
- Spring-Summer 2026: 8th Street roadway work (concrete/paving)
Public Information
Public Engagement
Open House May 7, 2025
The City held an open house on May 7, 2025, at Norris Penrose Event Center. All materials were made available digitally and can be viewed below.
Station Boards
Please use the links below to navigate to each station’s boards.
Engage with Us!
If you still have questions about the project, you may contact the project hotline (719-377-3089) or email 8thStConstruction@gmail.com. We’re happy to help you!
Photos
Week of December 22, 2025
A crane positions a 64-foot-long steel I-beam girder at the 8th Street bridge over Fountain Creek on Dec. 17. Crews placed three girders that will support a new northbound traffic lane and multiuse sidewalk/trail across the creek.
Week of November 17, 2025
An aerial view shows ongoing construction on the 8th Street bridge over Fountain Creek. Just downstream, a smaller temporary bridge allows crews and equipment to safely cross the creek.
Wing walls under construction on the east side of the 8th Street bridge over Fountain Creek highlight the expanded width of the bridge, where a new northbound lane will be added.
Week of Oct. 21, 2025
An auger slides into a steel sleeve while drilling a new bridge foundation pier on Oct. 8, 2025. The sleeve seals the drill shaft, preventing groundwater and other material from getting into the shaft while crews drill into the bedrock, set rebar in the hole, and pour the concrete to ensure a solid foundation.
Dirt flies from an auger during cleaning after drilling bridge foundation piers Oct. 8, 2025.
Week of Sept. 15, 2025
The project team received a delivery of 17 tons of rebar last week for new bridge foundation piers on the 8th Street bridge. Work on the foundation piers begins Sept. 22.
The heavy rains of late August made it nearly impossible for crews to work safely in and around Fountain Creek.