I-25 Gap Project Subject Of Public Meetings

The Colorado Department of Transportation is hosting a series of meetings in Colorado Springs and Monument on the I-25 Gap project, as well as two telephone town halls.

The meetings are informal listening sessions, geared to present the latest updates on a project aimed at improving 18 miles of the interstate between Castle Rock and Monument.

"The I-25 South Gap is in dire need of improvements and CDOT is on an accelerated schedule to fix the Gap," said Michael Lewis, CDOT's Executive Director, in a release.  He called the outreach, "essential for [those] who want to learn more and ask questions."

CDOT spokeswoman Tamara Rollison said population growth along the state's Front Range exacerbates the issue.

"We absolutely have to do something," Rollison said.  "But we have limited funding, we can't do everything we would like to do to make improvements. But we know what we can do will bring some long-term relief."

Rollison said the best option is to add two additional express toll lanes, one in each direction.

CDOT is also looking at providing wider shoulders, improved wildlife crossings, and better lighting among other developments.

A survey is available online; meanwhile, the first listening session took place at the Penrose House in Colorado Springs, Tuesday, January 30.  The following additional meetings are scheduled, in which CDOT will give the same presentation:

1/31/18: Meadows Park Community Center, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

2/5/18: Rockrimmon Library, 4:45 – 6:15 p.m.

2/6/18: Cheyenne Mountain Library, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

2/8/18: Monument Library, 6:45 – 8:15 p.m.

2/12/18: Natural Grocers North Academy, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

2/13/18: Natural Grocers Monument, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

2/15/18: Natural Grocers South Nevada, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Telephone Town Halls (details to be released later):

2/21/18: El Paso County, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

2/22/18: Douglas County, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.