2C is a voter-approved sales tax that is used only on road improvements within the City of Colorado Springs. The final step in a 2C construction project is applying a new layer of asphalt. This typically occurs from May to October when weather conditions allow for paving.
So, why are 2C cone zones set up all year round?
Because before a road is paved, crews also fix the crumbling concrete sidewalks, curb and gutter that’s next to it. And unlike asphalt, concrete can be poured nearly year round. So far, 35% of the concrete slated for 2020 has been completed.
Many roads on the 2C paving list also require immense coordination with partners like Colorado Springs Utilities. The coordination allows partners who own infrastructure under a public right of way to make necessary updates before a road is repaved with 2C funds.
Thoroughfares like Garden of the Gods Road and Union Boulevard are two examples of roadways that are being worked on by multiple agencies before being repaved. This lengthens the amount of time that cone zones are present.
Your patience and attention through these construction sites is greatly appreciated by the crew members who are working hard to get these projects finished as quickly as possible.
Why is concrete funded by 2C?
Replacing or repairing concrete is an essential part of roadway maintenance that protects streets from deterioration. Fixing concrete ahead of paving lengthens the lifespan of the road. In addition, these improvements add pedestrian ramps and create passable routes that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and enhance accessibility in Colorado Springs.
Approximately 50 percent of 2C funds are dedicated to concrete each year.
The 2020 paving list includes a lot of concrete work, and each segment of road has unique needs and challenges. Here are some examples of concrete work currently taking place ahead of scheduled paving this summer.
- Nevada Avenue, from Platte Avenue to Fillmore Street (14.12 lane miles)
- 53,751 linear feet of curb and gutter
- 75,759 square feet of sidewalk
- 263 new and retrofitted pedestrian ramps
- 3 crosspans
- Garden of the Gods Road, from Rusina Road to 30th Street (19.47 lane miles)
- 8,435 linear feet of curb and gutter
- 16,807 square feet of sidewalk
- 49 new and retrofitted pedestrian ramps
- 8 crosspans
- Verde Drive, from Circle Drive to Academy Boulevard (4.64 lane miles)
- 7,347 linear feet of curb and gutter
- 10,350 square feet of sidewalk
- 46 new and retrofitted pedestrian ramps
- 10 crosspans
