Colorado Springs – A two‑block closure on North Stone Avenue, between Fillmore Street and Fourth Street, marks the latest phase of a joint utility project led by the city’s Stormwater Enterprise (SE) and Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU). The closure, which began Tuesday, will remain in effect until the week before Thanksgiving as crews install a new storm‑water pipe and replace an aging iron water main.
Project scope and timeline
The SE and CSU are focusing on the northern mile of Stone Avenue, from Fillmore to Winters Drive, an industrial corridor that runs behind the Birdsall power plant and the former dog‑racing track. While the work is taking place in an industrial area, crews have kept one southbound lane open for traffic, minimizing disruption for commuters and local businesses.
According to city officials, the project is on schedule for completion early next year. As the sixth month of construction approaches, the teams have outlined clear milestones. The first major task is to replace the old iron water main with a PVC pipe that will stretch roughly two‑thirds of a mile between Fillmore and Nichols Boulevard. Crews are currently connecting local service lines to the new water‑main segment on the north end of the work zone, a job expected to finish just before Thanksgiving.
Storm‑water improvements
SE’s responsibility is to upgrade storm‑water infrastructure along Stone Avenue, particularly north of the McDonald’s at the Fillmore intersection, where drainage has been lacking. Workers have begun installing a new underground storm‑water pipe to address chronic flooding that has previously damaged parking lots and street surfaces.
Business owners along the corridor have welcomed the upgrades. Seventeen businesses, including Planet Granite, a countertop company occupying several buildings on the west side of Stone, reported that past flooding had caused costly damage to their properties. An employee at Planet Granite noted that keeping a southbound lane open has been a “big help” for customers and deliveries.
Impact on traffic and access
While the street remains closed to through traffic, access is still permitted for business customers, delivery vehicles, and construction equipment. The limited access has occasionally caused delays, but officials say the overall impact on drivers has been manageable given the industrial setting of the project.
CSU is also replacing old fire hydrants along Stone Avenue as part of the broader infrastructure refresh. These upgrades are intended to improve fire‑suppression capabilities for the area’s industrial facilities and commercial properties.
Looking ahead
City officials remain confident that the combined water‑main and storm‑water work will be completed on schedule, with final testing and inspections slated for early 2027. Once finished, the upgraded utilities are expected to reduce flooding incidents, improve water delivery reliability, and support the continued growth of businesses along North Stone Avenue.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to stay informed about lane closures and detour routes through the city’s official website and social‑media channels.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
