FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Sue Huss
719/473-0704, ext. 4141
Lana Hofman, ext. 4143
I-25 Communications

CDOT Completes Another Interchange Improvement Project
Movin' Right Along

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (May 23, 2003) - As part of the I-25 Corridor Improvements Project 
through the Pikes Peak Region, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) 
recently completed safety improvements to the I-25/U.S. 85 interchange in Fountain. 
This project, which began in fall 2001, cost approximately $9.8 million and was 
completed ahead of schedule.
"The original I-25/U.S. 85 interchange wasn't designed to accommodate heavy 
volumes of traffic and as the town of Fountain grows, the amount of traffic increases," 
said Tom McGhghy, CDOT project manger. "Further, the bridge over I-25 was too 
narrow causing traffic in each direction on U.S. 85 to come to a complete stop when 
trucks would be exiting the interstate to go to either the Tomahawk Truck Stop west of 
I-25 or east into the town." 
In addition to updating the I-25/U.S. 85 interchange to meet state and federal 
standards, this project was designed to improve safety for both pedestrians and 
motorists by providing:

* Longer acceleration and deceleration lanes at the interchange ramps and signalizing 
the interchange. 
* Wider ramps to and from I-25 to meet current standards.
* A new park-and-ride facility near the northeast corner of the interchange.
* A new noise wall along the eastern side of I-25, north and south of the interchange.
* A higher and wider U.S. 85/87 bridge over I-25 including the addition of turn lanes 
and a new 10-foot pedestrian crossing and bikeway located along the north side of 
the bridge.

For more information about the I-25/U.S. 85 interchange improvements project 
in Fountain, contact Tom McGhghy, CDOT project manager, at (719) 328-1137.
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