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County launches study to extend South Powers Boulevard

Public invited to an Open House to learn more

 

El Paso County, CO, May 12, 2022 – El Paso County, in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Transportation, has initiated a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study and Access Control Plan (ACP) for the extension of South Powers Boulevard (CO21). The project extends from the existing portion of South Powers Boulevard, connecting south of Mesa Ridge Parkway, and extends to Interstate-25 (I-25) south of the City of Fountain.

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The PEL Study will identify existing conditions to determine the needs within the corridor. The study will develop and evaluate a range of reasonable alternatives to identify a recommended alignment and list of potential projects which will provide the basis for future projects and studies. The project will identify a corridor preservation footprint that will facilitate transportation planning and decision-making for the corridor, recognizing the amount of planned development already present in this corridor.

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Public Open House

The public is invited to learn about the project and provide input during an Open House:

Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m.

Date: Wed., May 25

Location: City of Fountain City Hall, 116 S. Main Street, Fountain CO 80817

 

 The Open House is an opportunity for the public to: 

• Learn about the PEL study; 

• Review the Vision for the corridor and the Reason for the project; 

• Review the existing conditions of the area; 

• Submit comments or questions to the project team; and, 

• Provide valued input to help shape the recommendations for the corridor. 

 

American sign language and Spanish interpretation services are available upon request by sending an email at least five days in advance to: SouthPowersExtensionStudy@gmail.com 

 

Virtual Open House: A Virtual Open House will be available by clicking on the Virtual Open House button on the project website (https://www.SouthPowersStudy.com) between May 25 and June 15 in which comments can be submitted geographically on an Interactive Comment Map. To sign up for the e-newsletter updates on the study, please send an email to: SouthPowersExtensionStudy@gmail.com and request to be added to the distribution list. Contact information provided for this distribution list will be used exclusively by the project team for project updates. 

 

Background

Since 1963, Powers Boulevard has been planned as a by-pass alternative to Interstate-25 along the eastern edge of the City of Colorado Springs. As one of Colorado's 28 strategic corridors and a key element of the National Highway System, Powers Boulevard is a critical corridor supporting local, regional, and national mobility.

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As a critical component of the Region's Congestion Management Plan, South Powers Boulevard provides access to five major military installations, shall be the major north/south thoroughfare for the rapidly developing eastern edge of the City of Fountain, and provides direct access to the City of Colorado Springs Airport and its surrounding business park. 

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This project was identified in the 2000 South Powers Corridor Feasibility Study and referenced in the 2010 Powers Link Environmental Assessment. The PEL study will build upon these previous planning documents to identify a South Powers Boulevard Extension corridor alignment. It will support El Paso County, local agencies, stakeholders, and the public to determine future improvements.

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To receive project progress e-newsletters, send an email to: SouthPowersExtensionStudy@gmail.com requesting to be added to the notification list.

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More information about the South Powers Extension PEL Study will be posted on this website in the coming days:  https://www.SouthPowersStudy.com