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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is taking steps to make a strip of I-25 safer for drivers.

New solid lines have been painted in both directions between Bijou Street and Cimarron Street on the interstate in hopes of reducing the amount of crashes that take place there.

"There have been a number of accidents recently on I-25 south of Bijou, and we're trying to address that safety problem, because at CDOT one of our top priorities is the safety of the traveling public," Eric Lundberg, CDOT Assistant Traffic Operations Engineer, said.

Lundberg said it's just one step they are taking to try to improve safety in that area.

"In the future we plan to install flashing warning signs on that curve so that will be up and running shortly," Lundberg said.

The strip of highway has been a hot spot for crashes for years and even as recent as last week.

Drivers are traveling at a high rate of speed and must navigate through two sharp curves, which is especially difficult for larger vehicles.

Last week a semi carrying hay rolled over, and back in December a milk truck driver was killed when he rolled his tanker near the Bijou exit.

"The curve, it can be hard to see at night, I know the lighting was a problem for a while" Lundberg said.

Motorists were left in the dark after copper thieves struck several street lights in the area.

"We've had problems with copper theft all over the city and one area in particular that's been hit especially hard is kind of a curve along I-25," John Leavitt, a city spokesperson, said.

Leavitt said the city is doing their part to make the area safer as well.

"[City] Council was able to appropriate some funds so that we could begin to repair those copper wire theft street light problems in 2012," Leavitt said.

Leavitt said the repairs are already underway along Bijou and I-25, but they come at a hefty price.

"It costs about $1,000 per light to refit them with wire, so it's not a nuisance crime, it really is something that affects both in terms of pocketbook and also in terms of safety," Leavitt said.

He added there have been about 300 lights throughout the city targeted by copper thieves, costing the city nearly $300,000.

"So it's a huge problem, a very expensive problem, and one that does cause safety problems."

Leavitt said citizens can help out by being on the lookout.

"Anybody that would be working on a streetlight would have Colorado Springs Utilities uniform with a Colorado Springs Utilities truck," he said.

Anyone who sees someone else messing with a streetlight should call Colorado Springs Police at (719) 444-7000.

Until all the improvements can be made, CDOT is asking drivers to be extra cautious.

"I would encourage drivers going through those curves to slow down, don't go too fast for the conditions. Stay in your lane, don't be changing lanes in that area if at all possible," Lundberg said.

He also added that long term plans for the area include a new interchange at Cimmaron which CDOT hopes will fully solve these safety concerns.