Trails opening at 'operationally complete' Cimarron/I-25 interchange
Cimarron/I-25 project team press release by Monica RameyOct. 25, 2017; updated Oct. 30, 2017
The Interstate-25 and US 24/Cimarron Street Interchange Design-Build project includes several bike and pedestrian trail improvements and connections to parks, emphasized by the community as
A view looking west shows some elements of
the trail system at the new Cimarron/I-25 interchange. A pedestrian bridge carries
the Midland
Trail over Monument Creek, just north of its confluence with Fountain Creek, to
meet the Greenway Trail at a
roundabout east of the interchange (foreground) at a corner of America the
Beautiful Park. The Midland Trail, which also goes through the Westside. has
been relocated from its former I-25 underpass into ATB Park (off Walnut Street, a
block south of Colorado) so that it now
parallels Fountain Creek under the interchange.
Monica Ramey photo
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The project is operationally complete, and the trails system will be fully open by the end of October.
The previous asphalt-surfaced Midland Trail passed below I-25 through a former very low, dark, and narrow railroad tunnel," said Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) project director Dave Watt. "The previous trail under the interstate was not in a very good location and it was not aesthetically pleasing."
The new alignment of the Midland Trail is along Upper Fountain Creek with a concrete surface, aesthetic features and improved lighting under the I-25 bridge. The new trails connect to the regional trail system in Colorado Springs to the east and west of the project.
The project also installed lighting for the existing Pikes Peak Greenway Trail underneath the Cimarron Bridge near Fountain Creek.
Placement of one new pedestrian bridge over Monument Creek enables more convenient connections between the Midland Trail and pedestrian/bicycle transportation
A woman walks a dog across the pedestrian
bridge over a drainage canal that connects the Humane Society complex off Abbot
Street to its dog park. The bridge was formerly on a city trail, and spanned
Fountain Creek. It could not be used for the Cimarron/I-25 project, so project
contractor Kraemer North America relocated it to the Humane Society.
Westside Pioneer photo
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A pedestrian bridge that once spanned Upper Fountain Creek, east of I-25 and north of Cimarron Street was also replaced as part of the project. It was originally planned to be demolished to construct the new pedestrian bridge. Instead, the project contractor, Kraemer, relocated the intact old bridge structure to the Humane Society, connecting the main animal shelter over a drainage canal to provide them access to their dog park area. Editor's note: A follow-up by the Westside Pioneer found that the bridge relocation was done at a cost to the Humane Society, although a Kraemer spokesperson said that efforts were made to make the job as inexpensive as possible.
Careful attention was paid to the design of the grade of the trail paths to assure the grade change complies with the Americans with Disabilities act. The gradual slope will also enable better views of the creek.
A bicycle and pedestrian roundabout at the confluence of Fountain and Monument Creeks will provide a unique gathering place for trail users.
Concrete retaining wall panels with designs reflecting native fish in their habitat were installed along the new Midland Trail directly under I-25 bridges and along the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail under the Cimarron Bridge.
Experience it for yourself. Take time and enjoy a bike ride or walk along the Upper Fountain Creek on the new Midland Trail.
(Transportation: Cimarron/I-25)
Editor's note: Ramey is with Bachman PR, a Colorado Springs communications agency owned by Lisa Bachman which is handling the public relations for the Cimarron/I-25 project. This article and photo were used with permission.Would you like to respond to this article? The Westside Pioneer welcomes letters at editor@westsidepioneer.com. (Click here for letter-writing criteria.)