Fillmore Street in Colorado Springs serves as a vital east-west transportation corridor, and the Fillmore Street Bridges, located just east of I-25, are a critical part of this infrastructure. Situated approximately three miles north of downtown Colorado Springs, these twin bridges span Monument Creek, the popular Pikes Peak Greenway Trail, and the Union Pacific Railroad. However, after over sixty years of service, the Fillmore Street Bridges are facing significant deterioration, a common issue for infrastructure built in the 1960s across the United States.
Aging infrastructure is a widespread concern, and the Fillmore Street Bridges are no exception. Local and regional assessments have identified several deficiencies, including structural issues, inadequate bicycle and pedestrian facilities, limited connectivity to the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail, and traffic flow inefficiencies. To ensure public safety, the City of Colorado Springs has prioritized the replacement of these bridges, designating the Fillmore Bridge Project as a top-tier project under the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA).
Currently, the Fillmore Bridge Project is in Phase I: the Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) Study. This initial phase is crucial for identifying potential environmental and community impacts, assessing transportation benefits, and exploring various solutions for replacing the bridges. The project aims to develop options that enhance bridge infrastructure, improve multimodal safety, and strengthen connectivity in the Fillmore Street area. A range of potential solutions will be considered and refined in subsequent project phases.
Community engagement is a key component of this phase. The Fillmore Bridge Project team is actively seeking public input to shape the project alternatives and ensure they align with local needs. Recommendations developed during this collaborative process may be incorporated into future environmental reviews, ensuring a community-driven approach to the Fillmore Street infrastructure improvements.
The Fillmore Bridge Project is made possible through funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Bridge Investment Program (BIP) Planning Grant and the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA). The City of Colorado Springs plans to pursue further BIP grant funding to fully realize the bridge replacement, demonstrating a commitment to upgrading the vital Fillmore Street infrastructure for the long-term benefit of the community. For more detailed information about this important initiative, please refer to the Fillmore Bridge Project’s Frequently Asked Questions.
