COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) announced a milestone was reached this week on the Woodmen Road Corridor Improvement Project – Phase 1 when the existing 42-inch water transmission line was successfully shut down to allow a new line to be installed and connected.
The process required the project team to remove a section of existing water line at two locations and install a series of valves. The existing transmission line, more than 40 years old, needed to be relocated before excavation can begin to lower Academy Boulevard. Completion of this phase is expected on Friday.
The 42-inch transmission water line feeds reservoirs that supply domestic and fire protection water to approximately one-third of Colorado Springs. This transmission line carries approximately 24 million gallons of water per day on average and 60 million gallons of water on peak days.
The successful tie-in culminates a process that started several years ago. The city, working with Colorado Springs Utilities, the design team from URS, the contractor Edward Kraemer and Sons, and utility subcontractor AUI, finalized the process and plan in October of 2009. Since October, the project team has worked to meet this major milestone.
“Springs Utilities, after doing some research, determined that this transmission line could only be shut down during the months of January and February, when demand for water is at the lowest level. Utilities allowed us only five days to do the three phases: drain the existing line; remove a section of the existing water line at two locations and install a series of valves; and recharge the line. It was an amazing coordination effort and I thank the team and Springs Utilities, for their teamwork to make this such a success," said Dan Krueger, the city's project manager.
The Phase 1 Construction Project (Campus Drive to Stinson Road) will widen Woodmen Road to six lanes between Campus Drive and Academy Boulevard.
The project will also build a grade-separated interchange at Woodmen Road and Academy Boulevard. Construction of these improvements is the first step to reduce congestion along Woodmen Road. The project started in September 2009 and is anticipated to be completed by September 2011.
For the latest updates of Woodmen Road construction and to sign up for the latest news by e-mail, please log on to www.woodmenroad.com.
For general questions regarding the City PPRTA projects, contact Sue Skiffington-Blumberg (719) 385-5254.
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