TO:
- Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) Board of Directors
- Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)
FROM: City of Colorado Springs – Ryan Phipps, PE Capital Improvements Manager
CC: City of Colorado Springs – Gayle Sturdivant, PE, PMP, City Engineer/Deputy Public Works Director
DATE: October 2, 2024
Project Update
Project:
- Academy Blvd – Bijou St to Airport Rd (Project 03-20-5030002)
- Academy Blvd – Fountain Blvd to Milton E Proby Pkwy (Project 03-20-5030003)
Project Description: The Academy Boulevard Reconstruction from Bijou Street to Airport Road (north segment) and from Fountain Boulevard to Milton E Proby Parkway (south segment) are PPRTA ‘A’ list projects. Academy Boulevard is a six-lane road with poor pavement quality and deteriorated curb, gutter, and medians requiring replacement. Poor drainage is contributing to pavement decline; therefore, a new storm water system has been designed to alleviate ponding issues. Other planned improvements include enhanced pedestrian facilities and water & sanitary sewer utility replacements/upgrades.
The City advertised the north and south segments as a bundled contract in mid-2022. The north segment construction documents were at a conventional bid ready state, the southern segment construction documents were still in progress, and it was intended that the City and selected contractor would collaborate on finalizing the details of the south segment construction documents.
As of September 2024, the contractor has nearly completed the physical construction of the northern segment of Academy Blvd, substantial completion is anticipated in November 2024.
The City and Colorado Springs Utilities authorized the contractor to proceed with the water main replacement on the southern segment in early 2023. The intent was to allow the utility work to proceed while the details of the storm and roadway elements of work were finalized.
The final construction documents have since been completed for the southern segment; however the City and contractor have not been able to come to an agreement on how to proceed with the work. Because of this impasse, the City and contractor have mutually agreed to finish the contract work on the north segment and stop progressing the water main replacement on the southern segment.
To complete the construction of Academy Blvd – Fountain Blvd to Milton E Proby Pkwy, the City will advertise the now finalized construction documents for the southern segment. A best value solicitation will be employed that prioritizes project cost, traffic control phasing, schedule, and impacts to adjacent properties & businesses. The City anticipates that construction activities will resume on the south segment in early 2025.