Airport Road over Spring Creek Bridge and Sanitary Sewer Replacement

Project Background

Airport Road is an east-west, principal arterial, that carries traffic over Spring Creek on a 47-year-old bridge that is deteriorating, is too narrow to accommodate sidewalks, and has less than half the capacity needed to pass a 100-year flood under the roadway. The Spring Creek Bridge is located approximately 730 feet west of Academy Boulevard adjacent to Fire Station 8 and just north of the Valley Hi Golf Course. The creek drains a densely developed watershed that produces high flow rates from summer storms on a relatively frequent basis. The creek flow has overtopped the roadway on several occasions and as recently as Summer. Flood flow crossing the roadway is a hazard to motorists and pedestrians and could affect response times of the Fire department during times when they are most needed.

The existing 1964 bridge does not accommodate pedestrian traffic and is located in a community that is dependent on pedestrian accessibility. This situation results in pedestrians sometimes walking in the traffic lanes of this busy roadway which is very hazardous. Several large underground utility lines run under the bridge at shallow depths below it and will require relocation with its replacement.

Project Overview

• Bridge/Culvert Project: The City of Colorado Springs rebuilt the Spring Creek Bridge, increasing its length to add new sidewalks and deepen the channel below to enable flood flows to pass below the roadway.The north sidewalk connects to the existing sidewalk adjacent to the bridge. A future project will extend the southern sidewalk to connect to the existing sidewalk that now ends about a block west of the bridge.
• Utilities Work: Replacement of the bridge over Spring Creek required relocation of water, sewer and gas lines that cross under it. About 2,500 feet of the existing sanitary sewer line was replaced in early 2021 with a larger pipe to accommodate current needs and future population growth. Prior to the start of the bridge replacement work, Colorado Springs Utilities installed a 42” sanitary sewer line starting within Valley Hi Golf Course, progressing northeast along the western edge of the course up to the Spring Creek Bridge area. Construction of the remaining sanitary sewer progressing east within Airport Road to about Lakewood Circle was completed Spring 2022. Utilities also relocated the 20” and 4” gas lines to just north of the bridge prior to the bridge replacement project. Waterlines were relocated under the bridge during the bridge reconstruction.

Project Benefits

• Increased Spring Creek flood flow capacity below Airport Road and improved public safety related to reduced flood risk
• Significantly improved pedestrian access and safety with sidewalks on both sides of the bridge
• Greater sanitary sewer capacity to improve the existing system and accommodate future population growth
• Maintains existing vehicle operation over the bridge on Airport Road
• Reduced maintenance costs
• Contributes to creating a more economically vibrant and walkable community
• Improved neighborhood appearance

Funding

The Airport Road over Spring Creek Bridge replacement is a voter-approved, Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) II, A-listed project. The required major utility relocations work is jointly funded by PPRTA II and Colorado Springs Utilities. The upsized sanitary sewer is funded by Utilities.