8th Street Construction
Bridge work continues, girders next month
Crews continue to work on widening the 8th Street bridge over Fountain Creek. This week, concrete work continues on the bridge. Next week, crews will start placing large rocks (“riprap”) in the creek and continue working on the road near the bridge.
- There will be no construction on Thursday or Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Work will start again on Monday, December 1.
- Right now, the right northbound lane and the right turn lane remain closed. These lanes must stay closed, even when no one is working, because the area behind the barriers is not safe for drivers.
- More traffic changes are expected in mid-December, when crews will install large bridge beams and start work on the concrete median.
- This project adds an additional northbound lane across the bridge and replaces the Midland Trail bridge with an attached multi-use path on the bridge. This part of the project will continue through early 2026. During this phase, the bridge will remain open in both directions, although occasional lane closures should be expected.
- Access to local businesses remains open and clearly visible.
The project team wishes everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
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Background
The project will address infrastructure and mobility needs on 8th Street between Fountain Creek to Motor City Drive. More than 30,000 vehicles use this road daily. It serves as an important link to businesses and neighborhoods southwest of Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 24.
This PPRTA-funded project was approved by voters in 2012. Initial design work showed that, in addition to road improvements, the corridor needed other significant infrastructure upgrades. Needs included drainage improvements, safer multimodal access, increased capacity on the bridge carrying traffic across Fountain Creek, and a new water main under the roadway.
Key Elements
- Widening of the 8th Street bridge over Fountain Creek. This includes the addition of a northbound lane with attached sidewalk/trail for improved access to Highway 24 and the Midland Trail.
- Drainage improvements from Bear Creek to Moreno Avenue.
- Addition of sidewalks and curb and gutter on 8th Street from Fountain Creek to Lower Gold Camp Road.
- Asphalt overlay of 8th Street from Motor City Drive to Highway 24.
- Traffic signal improvements on 8th Street at Lower Gold Camp Road and Moreno Avenue.
- Replacement of a 24-inch water main under 8th Street, from Vermijo Avenue to Motor City Drive.
Schedule
The project will be built in three phases now that the study and design are completed. Work starts with widening the bridge over Fountain Creek. This eases traffic impacts during later construction phases by providing additional traffic capacity and mobility. It also, improves pedestrian and bike access along that stretch of 8th Street.
- Summer-Fall 2025: Widen 8th Street bridge over Fountain Creek
- Fall–Winter 2025: Replace water main, Vermijo Avenue to Motor City Drive
- Spring-Summer 2026: 8th Street roadway work (concrete/paving)
Public Information
Public Engagement
Open House May 7, 2025
The City held an open house on May 7, 2025, at Norris Penrose Event Center. All materials were made available digitally and can be viewed below.
Station Boards
Please use the links below to navigate to each station’s boards.
Engage with Us!
If you still have questions about the project, you may contact the project hotline (719-377-3089) or email 8thStConstruction@gmail.com. We’re happy to help you!
Photos
Week of November 17, 2025
An aerial view shows ongoing construction on the 8th Street bridge over Fountain Creek. Just downstream, a smaller temporary bridge allows crews and equipment to safely cross the creek.
Wing walls under construction on the east side of the 8th Street bridge over Fountain Creek highlight the expanded width of the bridge, where a new northbound lane will be added.
Week of Oct. 21, 2025
An auger slides into a steel sleeve while drilling a new bridge foundation pier on Oct. 8, 2025. The sleeve seals the drill shaft, preventing groundwater and other material from getting into the shaft while crews drill into the bedrock, set rebar in the hole, and pour the concrete to ensure a solid foundation.
Dirt flies from an auger during cleaning after drilling bridge foundation piers Oct. 8, 2025.
Week of Sept. 15, 2025
The project team received a delivery of 17 tons of rebar last week for new bridge foundation piers on the 8th Street bridge. Work on the foundation piers begins Sept. 22.
The heavy rains of late August made it nearly impossible for crews to work safely in and around Fountain Creek.