Colorado
After 20 years, Colorado Springs has a new vision for transportation. Here’s your chance to weigh in
It has been greater than twenty years since Colorado Springs has modernized its plans for transportation development. However, following years of examine and greater than 50 public conferences, the town has launched a draft plan that appears to the long run.
The ConnectCOS undertaking goals to enhance security, accessibility and velocity of journey irrespective of how folks navigate the town, whether or not that be strolling, driving, biking or taking public transit.
Analysis from the town confirmed practically 80 p.c of individuals in Colorado Springs commute alone, by automotive. I-25 sees probably the most visitors, adopted by CO 115 south of Fort Carson. The plan additionally recognized drawback intersections needing enchancment together with I-25 and Woodmen, Austin Bluffs and Academy and the intersection of Platte Avenue and Circle Drive.
One other side of ConnectCOS features a collection of 14 “vital corridors,” or networks of streets most definitely to extend mobility all through the town. That features Nevada Avenue, Briargate Parkway, the MLK Bypass and Marksheffel Street, amongst others. A important focus for the corridors might be on bettering east-west journey in Colorado Springs as “each east-west hall between Woodmen Rd and the MLK Bypass is pressured.”
The plan additionally really helpful finding out what it could take to reroute a portion of US 24 to be a part of Interstate 25 south of downtown.
Whereas analysis confirmed Colorado Springs to be thought of a “car-dependent” metropolis, public enter into the transportation plan confirmed residents are concerned with public transit, whether it is dependable and handy.
Proper now, the identical journey on public transit takes greater than twice so long as it could in a private car, the town stated. So, ConnectCOS particularly requires public transit to play a main position within the coming years, primarily to maintain up with job and inhabitants development.
The latest information out there reveals the town’s Mountain Metro Transit (MMT) bus system serves roughly 3 million passengers a 12 months. Most riders don’t personal a car and are available from low-income households. Greater than half of those that use MMT are Millennials or Era Z.
In an effort to enhance walkability, the plan additionally mentions filling in gaps in sidewalks, particularly on the east and west sides of city the place practically three-quarters of roads lack a sidewalk.
Suggestions on the plan might be submitted earlier than December 6.