corridorHISTORY
The Powers Corridor has undergone extensive transformation from
its earliest days as a rough trail to the latest improvement project known as
the LINK. CDOT recognizes the important role that the history of the Corridor
plays in the success of the LINK project, and we would like to share it with
you. CDOT has prepared the following brief timeline that highlights the
historically significant events that have defined the Powers Corridor.
1964
- The City of Colorado Springs designates and adopts the
concept of a Powers Boulevard Corridor as part of the Major Thoroughfare Plan.
1982
- The El Paso County Commissioners and the Colorado Springs
City Council adopt a joint resolution recognizing the Powers Boulevard Corridor
map, establishing the future location of the Powers Corridor.
- Representatives from CDOT, the City of Colorado Springs, the
Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) and El Paso County form the
Powers Boulevard Task Force. The task force establishes a set of policy
guidelines for access along Powers Boulevard.
1984
- Colorado Springs, the City of Fountain and El Paso County
agree to cooperate on the planning, design, funding and construction of Powers
Boulevard and decide that the corridor will extend from I-25 south toward
Fountain and north to I-25 at Northgate.
1986
- The Metex Metropolitan District, a
quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado,
is created to construct approximately 7 miles of Powers Boulevard.
- When completed, the roadway is dedicated to the City of Colorado
Springs and to El Paso County. (The Metex bonds are
then retired in December 2007.)
1993
- Powers Boulevard is officially
adopted as a National Highway System (NHS) route.
1994-1998
- An environmental assessment is conducted for North Powers, from
Woodmen Road north to I-25. An extensive public involvement program is
conducted in a cooperative effort between the City of Colorado Springs, El Paso
County, CDOT, and the Federal Highway Administration.
- In January of 1998 the Federal Highway Administration issues
a Finding of No Significant Impact.
1999
- CDOT and the City of Colorado Springs sign an agreement to
transfer ownership and maintenance of Powers Boulevard to CDOT. (The swap is
then completed in the summer of 2007.)
- CDOT and developer La Plata begin design of the section from
Woodmen Road to Research Parkway.
2000
- La Plata begins construction of the section from Woodmen
Road north to Research Parkway, while CDOT constructs the bridge over
Cottonwood Creek. The project is
completed in late 2000.
- La Plata begins design of Powers Boulevard from Research
Parkway to Briargate Parkway. The construction is
completed in June 2005.
- CDOT begins design of Powers Boulevard from Briargate Parkway to State Highway 83. The project is
constructed and opened for traffic in August 2005.
- El Paso County begins construction on Powers Boulevard south
of Fontaine Boulevard to Mesa Ridge Parkway. The connection is completed in June 2001.
- In August 2000, the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments concludes
an initial South Powers Feasibility Study that explored a south extension of
Powers Boulevard to the Mesa Ridge Parkway, connecting with I-25 south of the city
of Fountain.
2001
- In February 2001, CDOT completes an evaluation of the
central segment of Powers Boulevard from Woodmen Road to Drennan
Road (Central Powers Boulevard Feasibility Study). The results allow CDOT to
begin identifying the potential impacts that proposed improvements may have on
existing communities and future development along the Corridor.
- In November 2001, the Platte Avenue interchange is successfully
completed.
2002
- CDOT begins the environmental assessment of the portion of
Powers Boulevard from Woodmen Road south to I-25 via Mesa Ridge Parkway and SH
16 to determine what modifications are necessary to meet the travel demand
expected in 2025.
2005
- Travel demand forecasts are calculated and extended to the
year 2030. These numbers are integrated into the environmental assessment being
conducted.
2007
- To accommodate Fort Carson’s anticipation of incoming
troops, the environmental assessment of the SH 16 interchange begins and is
completed earlier than previously planned.
- A Finding of No Significant Impact for the proposed SH 16
interchange is issued in September. Construction begins and work continues.
2008
- Woodman Rd. Interchange successfully completed.
2009
- SH16/I-25 Interchange successfully completed.
CDOT has collected historic documents from local, federal,
and public agencies that we would like to share with you. These documents date
back to 1964, and represent the projects that laid the foundation for the
development of the Powers Corridor. Please click on one of the four areas on
the graphic below to view excerpts from these documents.
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