Project Overview
The area of Colorado Springs along the three miles of Black Forest Road between Woodmen and Old Ranch roads has experienced considerable growth over the past several years, with continued growth projected. Much of the area, as well as the arterial connections to Black Forest Road (Research Parkway/Marksheffel Road and Briargate Parkway/Stapleton Road) is projected to be developed within the next five to ten years. Several large developments have already been constructed in this area. Existing and proposed development requires more capacity along this portion of Black Forest Road than the current two-lane section provides.
As development continues rapidly, the City of Colorado Springs will be widening of Black Forest Road from Woodmen to Old Ranch roads beginning in February/March 2022. Construction of the segment of Research Parkway to Old Ranch Road has not been scheduled.
The project will widen Black Forest Road to a four-lane principal arterial cross-section from Woodmen Road to Research Parkway and will construct a new bridge over Cottonwood Creek. The project is funded through the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) “A” List of projects.
The project team incorporated public input into the design with the following considerations:
- Maintaining a rural feel: Streetlights will only be installed at the intersections, and not along the entire corridor. This will provide safety, but still reduces night-time artificial pollution that can hamper night-sky viewing at dusk.
- Multi-use safety concerns: To address safety concerns related to conflicting bicycle and motorized vehicle movements between Woodmen Road and Vollmer Road, the shoulder was removed and replaced with 10-foot sidewalks on both the east and west sides of Black Forest Road.
- Traffic operations: The project will improve traffic operations at the intersections of Black Forest Road with Woodmen, Vollmer and Cowpoke roads and Research Parkway.
- In addition to the existing traffic signals at Woodmen Road and Vollmer Road, permanent traffic signals will be added along Black Forest Road at Cowpoke Road and Research Parkway. (While not specifically a part of the Black Forest Road Corridor Widening Project, the City installed a temporary signal at the Cowpoke intersection in 2020 to assist with traffic flow for residents and the travelling public.)
- Dedicated right- and left-turn lanes do not currently exist at all major intersections along Black Forest Road. Turn lanes will be added at these intersections.
- One through-lane in each direction will be added on Black Forest Road.
- Dual left-turn lanes will be provided for several movements with higher projected traffic volumes, including southbound left turns at Woodmen and Vollmer, westbound left turns at Vollmer, northbound left turns at Research, and eastbound left turns at Research.
- Overhead Utilities: The proposed design includes undergrounding the Mountain View Electric Association’s overhead utilities currently on the east side of Black Forest Road between Woodmen and Research Parkway and removing the utility poles.
- Bridges over Cottonwood Creek: Two separate bridges will span the creek with an aesthetically-pleasing design. Stabilization of that section of the creek will occur by removing the existing riprap and upgrading the channelization. The project will also include provisions for the future trail under the bridge.
