COLORADO SPRINGS — 2019 may be gone but those construction traffic headaches aren't going anywhere.
The Colorado Department of Transportation says it has a whole list of road improvement projects it hopes to tackle this year.
CDOT Communications Manager, Michelle Peulen, says one project involves ramp metering I-25 through Colorado Springs.
Crews will be adding signals at the end of several on-ramps, to help safely merge traffic onto the interstate. This project should be complete by this Spring.
U.S. 287 in Southeastern Colorado, needs passing lanes due to all the trucks and freight vehicles that travel along it.
The lanes will be added in three phases thanks to a grant, and the first phase is already finished. Part two of this project will begin soon. Phase three should be wrapped up by 2021.
Officials say they know the headache construction causes drivers, but these improvements are necessary to keep up with Colorado's growth.
"We try everything we can to lessen the impacts," Puelen said.
Another major project to look out for, is paving U.S 24, near 8th Street and Cimarron. This area is known to get pretty congested throughout the day.
"We try everything, from doing work at night, building detours, and finding a way to get traffic around those areas," Puelen explained.
The "Gap" between Monument and Castle Rock is another big one. It's an 18 mile project that involves rebuilding the roadway, adding lanes, and an express lane. Drivers won't see this project complete until 2022 or 2023.
CDOT officials encourage drivers to be patient with the construction projects, and to always be aware of your surroundings on the road, especially when construction workers are doing their jobs.
"Unfortunately the impacts are apart of the construction process," Puelen said.
