Platte Ave Bridge over Sand Creek
Construction has begun to replace the eastbound and westbound bridges on Platte Avenue over Sand Creek, this project replaces bridges nearing end of life, built in 1956, which are suffering from flood damage in 2008. This project will bring improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians both on Platte Ave and along Sand Creek on a proposed Sand Creek trail.
For more information visit the city’s project website linked below
Platte Ave over Sand Creek Bridge Project
The Platte Avenue over Sand Creek Bridge project focuses on bridge replacement, accommodating the Sand Creek Trail along the east side of the creek under the bridge and signalizing the intersection at Space Center Drive.
Current Phase of Demolition
After the removal of asphalt, work will proceed safely behind concrete barriers using temporary 15-foot pilings at the edge of the abutments (ends of the bridge) in order to excavate the area below the abutment to saw cut and remove it. A temporary stream crossing has been built underneath the demolition area protecting the stream from debris.
Hydraulic excavators located next to the creek will use hammering and pulverizing actions to demo the bridge deck moving from the middle to the ends of the bridge. Construction equipment will be used on the roadway to facilitate this process. To further shield travelers from this activity, plywood will be used with the concrete barriers.
Construction on the project began in November, 2020 and will continue through 2022.
Pedestrian improvements and Future Sand Creek trail
The new structure will improve pedestrian safety by providing sidewalks on the bridge and connections to the future Regional Sand Creek Trail beneath the bridge. This project team is working in conjunction with the City Parks department as the design progresses. Completing the bridge over Sand Creek will prepare for the future extension of the Sand Creek Trail that will be constructed under the bridge, the bridge will be designed to manage a waterway with extreme erosion characteristic.
The Sand Creek trail, once complete will be a valuable link between the Powers Blvd corridor and Southeast Colorado Springs. Currently paved sections are intermittent north of Airport Road to Powers Blvd with new paved section recently built between Platte Ave and Galley (photo above) as well as a quarter mile section south of Palmer Park.
The Sand Creek Trail was identified as a priority in a multiple sections of the 2014 Parks Master Plan. 7.94 miles of the Sand Creek trail from Academy Boulevard North to Airport Road and North east to Powers Road were identified as part of 32.4 miles of top locations to prioritize for trail repair and maintenance. The Sand Creek trail crossings at both Platte Ave and Powers Blvd were identified as trail crossing priorities in the 2014 parks masterplan as well.
Bike Colorado Springs has reached out to the City Parks department asking if a funding source or timeline for this trail connection has been determined. Once we hear more we will update this page.
Bellow is an excerpt from 2014 Parks Master Plan outlining the proposed Ring the Springs Loop which uses the whole length of the sand creek trail including the nearly 8 miles of needed to complete Sand Creek Trail South as well as 2.53 Miles of trails needed from Stetson Hills Boulevard to where the trail currently ends just north of Dublin Boulevard to complete Sand Creek Trail North
Ring the Springs
Total Loop Length: 53.78 miles
Trails to Build: 27.01 miles
Trail Maintenance Needs: 12.7 miles
Trail Segments: Pikes Peak Greenway Trail / El Paso County New Santa Fe Trail (West), La Foret, Skyline Trail (North), Powers Tra
il (North East), Sand Creek Trail (Northeast to South)
Description: Closing the gaps in this trail loop, which are primarily identified as short and medium term segments, will create a significant multi-use loop trail that traverses through many of the city’s outer neighborhoods and areas where future development is anticipated. This loop will eventually consist of primarily Tier 1 trails serving multiple uses and will be ideal for the endurance riders and cyclists who are looking to complete a long half day to full day ride. The loop trail can also be broken up into smaller segments that are suitable all abilities and levels of fitness and will provide a protected, off road facility that is suitable for both walking and biking. The Ring the Springs Trail connects some of the city’s best urban parks as from the mountains to the prairies, providing trail users opportunities to take in iconic views of Pikes Peak as well as geologic formations along the foothills and the eastern plains. Though you can access the trail from anywhere along the route, it will officially begin and end in heart of downtown Colorado Springs, where access can be gained from the foothills and Manitou Springs. The route heads north through the iconic America the Beautiful and Monument Valley Parks adjacent to the I 25 corridor to where it meets up with the New Santa Fe trail that goes through the Air Force Academy, offering scenic vistas of the mountains. The trail then heads south east through the newer developments, including Wolf Ranch and Briargate, before heading south along the Sand Creek trail network.
