Blueprint 2050 gate changes to reshape base, city traffic flow

Published May 21, 2007
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Improvements at each of Peterson's gates over the next few years will likely change the way drivers navigate the base and the city roads around it.

Col. Jay Santee, commander of the 21st Space Wing, outlined Peterson's long-term transportation plans during a media conference on Blueprint 2050 May 15. The plan calls for major changes at each of the base's entries and, in partnership with the city, the re-working of several nearby roads.

As work is completed, more base traffic will shift from the North Gate, Peterson's current main entrance, to the upgraded West and East Gates. Airport Road will eventually have an above-grade intersection across Powers Boulevard, like Platte Avenue currently does, and Marksheffel Road could move farther east when it transitions into a four-lane road.

The projects are meant to ease traffic congestion on and around the base as well as increase force protection and stave off encroachment from future commercial development - all critical elements necessary to keep Peterson thriving, said Colonel Santee. "This plan has been a real team effort to ensure the success of Peterson," he said.

Work has already started on the West Gate, which is undergoing $12.8 million-worth of construction. Slated for completion in February, the gate will feature a new visitor's center, additional lanes and added security measures, such as pop-up barriers and speed reduction curves.

"It's going to provide more secure access to the base," said Lt. Col. Derrek Sanks, 21st SW Civil Engineering Squadron commander. "We're going to add to the force protection and prevent people from coming through the gate unauthorized."

Starting June 1, hours at the North Gate will be curtailed, driving more traffic to the West Gate. It's expected to handle more than 18,000 cars a day by February, officials predict. The added traffic will likely worsen congestion on Powers Boulevard, making the need for the interchange there even more vital.

City officials say they are in the process of purchasing right-of-way parcels to begin the project and expect the acquisitions to be complete by the end of this year. Funding help for the project, which is expected to cost between $35 million and $40 million, will come from a combination of Pikes Peak Rural Transit Authority and Colorado Department of Transportation funds, and the project is currently tied to the larger Powers freeway improvement project currently under study.

"Powers Boulevard is really a significant transportation corridor for the whole city, so if there's something that jams it up, that's something that affects the whole community," said Craig Blewitt, transportation planning manager for Colorado Springs.

Peterson is also working with the county on plans for the East Gate. With the new base exchange, slated for opening June 6, and the commissary, opening Aug. 3, out at Pete East, traffic at the East Gate is expected to increase from 1,500 cars a day to 4,000 cars a day. Eighteen-wheelers will also be using the gate for deliveries, which should ease some of the current congestion at the West Gate.

In response, the city is installing a flashing signal, which should eventually be converted to a full traffic signal, at the East Gate entrance and Marksheffel Road. City transportation officials are also looking into building left and right turn-bays at the intersection.

Eventually, Peterson would like to acquire about 500 acres of land near Marksheffel Road, Colonel Santee said, realigning the road farther east and adding some room for Peterson to grow. The move would also provide additional force protection, as the land east of Peterson is expected to become a large-scale housing development in the next 30 to 50 years.

"We're right at a good point to work with the city and the county on how to plan this," he said. "We're probably safe from encroachment for the next 10 to 15 years, but, after that, who knows?"

As for the North Gate, Colonel Santee said the base is looking into eventually moving that farther east, too. The shift would allow for more parking near Buildings One, Two and Three. This would provide better force protection by moving the entrance away from command headquarters and create construction space for future missions.

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Gate changes