Colorado Springs Dismantles Concrete Barriers to Restore Visibility

City planners in Colorado Springs removed concrete barriers from crosswalks on West Colorado Avenue after public feedback indicated the structures hindered visibility. The removal marks a shift in a year-long street redesign that includes lane realignment and parking adjustments. Planners also reduced the size of center pedestrian refuge areas at these intersections.

The concrete barriers were installed as part of the initial protected crosswalk design last month. Ryan Phipps, the city's capital improvements manager, stated that residents reported the temporary walls blocked sightlines, particularly for shorter pedestrians. The barriers formed a solid wall of concrete that obscured the view for people walking across the street. In response, the city has taken the barriers down.

First responders also influenced the modifications to the pedestrian refuges. Phipps explained that drivers pulling over for emergency vehicles sometimes created blockades within the refuge zones. The city removed those specific sections to ensure fire and police departments have necessary access up and down the avenue. Phipps described the current phase as a test to determine what works in practice.

"Recently we made some adjustments to what we had initially implemented, and this is just that ongoing iterative process of testing what's working, what's not working as well as was originally anticipated," Phipps said. He characterized the changes as a search for better options rather than corrections of errors. The city is now seeking further feedback to judge the performance of the new layout.

Businesses along the corridor are monitoring the changes closely. Centennial Cuts, a retailer of Colorado beef, depends on customers reaching its door. Manager Joe Kliche noted that the store sells beef from a family ranch in Fowler, Colorado, now in its third generation. The shop is the company's only brick-and-mortar location, drawing both local shoppers and tourists.

Kliche said he favors the center lane for parking because it helps with loading and unloading. However, managers had expected more additional parking and have mixed reactions to the crosswalk updates. Kliche described the stanchions rising in the middle of the street as a little weird. The latest updates reset this portion of the trial period as the city continues to gather data.