Public Utilities Commission Approves Bridge Replacement Project in Colorado Springs

Strategic Insights -

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has given the go-ahead to a bridge replacement project in Colorado Springs, authorizing the city and El Paso County to replace the existing South Circle Drive bridge structures over the BNSF Railway Company and Union Pacific Railroad Company tracks. The decision comes after a review of the application and consultation with interested parties, including adjacent property owners. The project is estimated to cost $36,808,875.45 and will be funded entirely by the City of Colorado Springs. The new bridge structures will meet or exceed the clearances required by Commission Rules 4 Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR) 723-7-7324 and 7345.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Public Utilities Commission has granted the application (Decision No. C24-0270) to replace the existing bridge structures of the grade separated crossing of South Circle Drive over the tracks of the BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) and the Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) in Colorado Springs, El Paso County.
  • The project involves the replacement of the existing bridge structures with new three-span structures, each 356'-6" in length, with a minimum vertical clearance of 21'-6" and a minimum horizontal clearance of 21'-1/8".
  • The proposed minimum clearances meet or exceed the clearances required by Commission Rules 4 Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR) 723-7-7324 and 7345.
  • The current train traffic volumes under the bridge structures are approximately 20 trains per day, while the current traffic volumes using South Circle Drive are 36,000 vehicles per day, with estimated increases to 39,000 VPD in five years and 48,000 VPD in 20 years.
  • The City of Colorado Springs will pay for the entire cost of the project, which is estimated at $36,808,875.45.
  • The project is expected to be completed by December 31, 2025, with the Joint Applicants required to file a copy of the signed Construction and Maintenance Agreements for this project prior to starting any work over the railroads by June 30, 2024.

Statistics:

  • Estimated cost of the project: $36,808,875.45
  • Current traffic volumes using South Circle Drive: 36,000 vehicles per day
  • Estimated traffic volumes using South Circle Drive in five years: 39,000 vehicles per day
  • Estimated traffic volumes using South Circle Drive in 20 years: 48,000 vehicles per day
  • Number of trains per day under the existing bridge structures: 20
  • Length of the proposed new bridge structures: 356'-6"
  • Minimum vertical clearance of the proposed new bridge structures: 21'-6"
  • Minimum horizontal clearance of the proposed new bridge structures: 21'-1/8"

Sources:

  • Decision No. C24-0270, issued by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission on April 24, 2024.
  • SS 40-4-106(2)(a) and (3)(a), C.R.S.
  • SS 40-6-109.5, C.R.S.
  • SS 40-6-114, C.R.S.
  • 4 CCR 723-1, Rules of Practice and Procedure.
  • 4 CCR 723-7-7324 and 7345, Commission Rules Regulating Railroads, Rail Fixed Guideways, Transportation by Rail, and Rail Crossings.