U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- A $15.2 million project to refurbish the busiest bridge at the Air Force Academy begins next week and is scheduled to last through spring 2019.
The work on the bridge on South Gate Boulevard, near the intersection of Pine Drive and Stadium Boulevard, includes lane reductions and traffic detours throughout the project.
The bridge is the single-major crossing point for Academy staff and their families, District 20 school busses, delivery trucks, medical patients and others.
“No change is expected for commuter access through the South Gate for the duration of the project,” said Col. David Kincaid, commander of the 10th Mission Support Group. “However, traffic will be impacted as vehicles merge due to lane closures on the bridge."
The 10th MSG oversees civil engineering projects at the base.
Bridge traffic lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
Starting Jan. 8, southbound traffic on Stadium Boulevard will be routed west at Community Center Drive and east onto Pine Drive before reconnecting to cross the bridge during peak traffic hours.
Project officials said the detour could add an extra 15 minutes of driving time for those traveling out the Academy’s South Gate.
“Repairing and improving the bridge’s structure will ensure its utility and improve safety for years to come,” Kincaid said.
“The majority of the Academy’s infrastructure is close to 60 years-old and this bridge is no exception,” Kincaid said.
Kincaid said the project is worth the cost and temporary inconvenience for commuters because years of heavy traffic has taken its toll. While several repairs have been completed to the bridge in previous years, Kincaid said it’s time for a full refurbish.
Project manager Debra Baumgardner said the project includes utility work, median paving and replacing the concrete down to the bridge’s girders.
When complete, bike lanes in each direction will remove the danger of cycling in traffic and provide a safer crossing.