Spring removes West Avenue barriers

City engineers in Colorado Springs removed concrete barriers from crosswalks on West Colorado Avenue this week. The changes mark a shift in the city’s year long redesign of the corridor. Planners also reduced the size of center pedestrian refuge areas at several intersections.

The project involves realigning lanes and adjusting parking rules. New protected crosswalks were installed in September. Since their arrival, city staff have modified the infrastructure based on direct feedback from residents and local businesses.

Ryan Phipps, the city’s capital improvements manager, described the process as an ongoing test. He noted that the team is constantly evaluating what works and what does not. Phipps said the city made adjustments to the initial implementation to better understand performance in real world conditions.

The removed concrete barriers were part of the first crosswalk design. Phipps explained that pedestrians reported the barriers blocked their view of oncoming traffic. He said the solid wall of concrete made it difficult for shorter individuals to see vehicles approaching the crosswalk.

First responders also provided input that led to changes. Phipps said drivers sometimes created blockades when pulling over for emergency vehicles near the refuge areas. The city removed those specific sections to ensure fire and police units could move up and down Colorado Avenue without obstruction.

Phipps characterized the updates as a search for balance rather than a correction of errors. He said the team is tweaking the design to find the best option. He emphasized that the current phase is critical for seeing how the design functions in practice.

Local businesses are monitoring the changes closely. Centennial Cuts, a shop selling Colorado beef, depends on customers being able to reach its entrance. Manager Joe Kliche said the store’s cattle are raised on a family ranch in Fowler. The ranch is now in its third generation of ownership.

Kliche said the store sells its beef at its single physical location. The products attract both local shoppers and tourists. He noted that the store’s managers watch how roads, parking, and walkways change along the avenue. Kliche said he likes the center lane for parking because it helps with loading and unloading goods.

Managers had expected more additional parking to be available. Reactions to the crosswalk changes have been mixed. Kliche described the stanchions rising in the middle of the street as a little weird. He said the visual elements are still settling in for daily operations.

The latest updates reset the trial period for this section of the road. City planners are now asking for further feedback. They will use that information to judge whether the current changes are working as intended.