Current Phase: Engineering
Engineering Percent Complete (roadway, drainage, utilities): 50%
Engineering Percent Complete (railroad, bridge): 30%
Anticipated Construction Start: 2025

Project Description: UPRR Mainline Over Fontanero Bridge project is the replacement of the railroad bridge for the mainline track over Fontanero Street just east of I-25. The UPRR Mainline Bridge was built in 1963 and does not meet mainline track strength requirements. Clearance under the bridge is insufficient and presents a safety issue with trucks impacting the bridge. In 2012, PPRTA Bridge Maintenance completed a project to construct temporary supports under the end spans to partially address the strength issue. The supports are only an interim solution, and the agreement with the railroad to construct the temporary supports requires the City to replace the bridge.

As shown in the figure below, there is a second railroad bridge carrying a siding track east of the mainline. The siding bridge was also built in 1963 and has the same strength and clearance issues as the mainline bridge, along with the replacement commitment to the railroad. The City recognizes and respects the fact that the siding bridge is a B-list project. Design for the replacement of the siding bridge is being advanced using the Emergency Bridge Fund concurrently with the mainline bridge design.

Preliminary engineering identified the necessity to reconstruct both the mainline and siding bridges at the same time because the bridge foundations will be impacted by the lowering of Fontanero Street. The roadway will be lowered by approximately four feet to address the bridge clearance issue and facilitate a deeper girder on the bridge. The deeper girder is necessary for a longer bridge span that will accommodate a wider roadway section for the connection to the recently completed Centennial Boulevard Extension. UPRR and BNSF both operate in this area, and operations are required to continue throughout construction. Both bridges are necessary for rail detours during construction, thus requiring the City to advance the UPRR Siding over Fontanero project with the UPRR Mainline over Fontanero A-list project.

Figure 28. Vicinity Map: UPRR over Fontanero

Figure 29. Existing Fontanero Bridges

Budget

Funding Source	Estimated Project Cost1	Obligated	Spent to Date (Actual)	Percent Spent to Date2
PPRTA	$22,716,460	$3,229,822	$1,373,343	43%
PPRTA Emergency Bridge	$715,979	$715,979	$602,429	84%
Total	$23,432,439	$3,945,801	$1,975,772	50%

1. Estimated project cost includes future anticipated funding authorization. Total project cost includes known work for project life-cycle phases from planning to construction completion.
2. Actual funds spent of the current obligated amount.

Highlights:

• The City is actively working in partnership with UPRR and BNSF to investigate alternative designs and the possible use of an Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) method to reduce the time of construction, impacts to the public, and construction costs.
• Utility relocation coordination efforts continue with Colorado Springs Utilities and private utility companies.
• No private land acquisition is required; however, Executive Agreements will be needed with Utilities and City Parks and Recreation. An agreement with CDOT will also be required.
• A three-party Construction and Maintenance agreement will be prepared between the City, UPRR, and BNSF Railway.