Colorado Springs removes crosswalk barriers after drivers and walkers complain

City officials in Colorado Springs have dismantled the concrete barriers that were recently installed at crosswalks along West Colorado Avenue, a move that signals a significant shift in the city’s approach to a year-long street redesign. The decision comes after residents and local business owners voiced concerns that the initial design choices were causing more problems than they solved. By removing these structures, the city is effectively resetting the experimental phase of the project to see how the street functions without the heavy physical obstructions.

The changes mark a rapid departure from the plan that was put into place just last month. The original design included protected crosswalks with solid concrete dividers and expanded pedestrian refuge areas in the center of the road. However, within weeks of installation, the city began receiving feedback that the structures were interfering with daily traffic flow and pedestrian safety. The removal of the barriers and the reduction of the refuge zones represent a direct response to this wave of public input.

The timeline of this redesign has been marked by a cycle of installation, observation, and modification. Planners initially introduced the concrete elements as part of a broader effort to realign lanes, adjust parking, and create safer options for people on foot. The project was intended to be a trial run, allowing the city to test various configurations. When the first iteration failed to meet expectations, the city moved quickly to alter the infrastructure rather than waiting for a formal review period to conclude.

Ryan Phipps, the city’s capital improvements manager, framed the recent changes as a necessary part of a continuous testing process. He noted that the city had made adjustments to the initial implementation because the original design did not perform as well as anticipated. Phipps described the work as an iterative process, emphasizing that the goal is to identify what is working and what is not. This perspective suggests that the current layout is not a final solution but a step in a longer journey toward a functional street design.

One of the primary drivers for removing the concrete barriers was feedback from pedestrians. Phipps explained that many people, particularly those of shorter stature, found that the temporary barriers blocked their sightlines. The solid wall of concrete made it difficult for walkers to see oncoming traffic, which raised safety concerns. By taking out these barriers, the city hopes to restore visibility for pedestrians while still maintaining the other elements of the crosswalk design.

The reduction of the center pedestrian refuge areas was influenced by input from first responders. Emergency crews reported that drivers attempting to pull over for fire trucks and police cars were often trapped behind the refuge islands. This created blockages that hindered emergency access. Phipps stated that the city removed these sections to ensure that fire and police departments have the necessary clearance to move up and down Colorado Avenue without obstruction. This change prioritizes emergency vehicle movement over the expanded walking space that was initially proposed.

Local businesses along the corridor are closely monitoring these shifts, as their operations depend on the ease of access for customers. Centennial Cuts, a shop specializing in Colorado beef, is one such business. Manager Joe Kliche noted that the store relies on customers being able to reach its door easily. The business sells beef raised on a family ranch in Fowler, Colorado, and operates a single brick-and-mortar location. Because the store attracts both local shoppers and tourists, the team is watching how the road, parking, and walkway changes affect their customer flow.

Kliche expressed a mixed reaction to the updates. He appreciated the center lane for parking, which he found helpful for loading and unloading goods. However, he and his managers had expected more additional parking spaces to be added as part of the redesign. His opinion of the stanchions rising in the middle of the street was less favorable. He described them as a little weird, highlighting the fact that the new design elements are still being digested by the local community. This sentiment reflects a broader uncertainty among business owners who are trying to adapt to a street that is still in flux.

Phipps maintained that these changes are not necessarily corrections of mistakes but rather a search for better options. He used the term tweaking and balancing to describe the current phase of the project. The city views the test period as essential for understanding how the design performs in real-world conditions. By making these adjustments now, the city aims to avoid locking in a design that does not serve the needs of all users effectively.

The latest updates amount to a reset of this portion of the trial period. City planners are now asking for further feedback from the public to judge whether the modified design is working as intended. This ongoing dialogue suggests that the final configuration of West Colorado Avenue may still evolve based on how drivers, pedestrians, and businesses interact with the new layout in the coming weeks.