The first project to reconstruct Interstate 25 through Pueblo officially got underway on July 1. The contracting/design team of Flatiron Constructors and HDR broke ground on the reconstruction of I-25 between City Center Drive (1st Street) and Ilex Street. The project also upgrades a number of bridges south of downtown Pueblo, Colo.

The $69-million project consists of:

•    Constructing new bridges on I-25 over D Street, the Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railroad and Gruma Street and replacing two structurally deficient bridges, built in 1959, that cross over Ilex and Bennett streets and the railroad tracks.

•    Rehabilitating six bridges on I-25 northbound over the U.S. 50 Business route, northbound and southbound over Indiana Avenue, U.S. 50 Business over the Arkansas River, and over I-25 on Northern and Mesa avenues.

•    Building the new D Street (replacing Ilex Street).

•    Installing new utilities, lighting and permanent water quality ponds.

•    Rebuilding 1st Street (City Center Drive) on and off ramps.

•    Constructing new retaining and sound walls, sidewalks, curbs and gutters.

•    Enhancing area aesthetics and landscaping.

“I-25 through the heart of Pueblo is one of the oldest segments of freeway we have in the state, so this reconstruction is long overdue,” said CDOT Executive Director Shailen Bhatt. “It has not seen any upgrades to modernize it since it was originally built in the 1950s. I’m glad that we’re finally able to build a project that’ll greatly enhance safety and mobility for both for the citizens of Pueblo and the people who travel through this area.”

The project is funded through Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery (FASTER– 60%) and Responsible Acceleration of Maintenance and Partnership (RAMP– 40%).
Project completion is scheduled for summer 2017.