City resets West Avenue crosswalks

City planners in Colorado Springs have removed concrete barriers from crosswalks on West Colorado Avenue, reversing part of a design installed last month. The change comes as a one-year street redesign enters a new phase of testing and public feedback.

Ryan Phipps, the city’s capital improvements manager, explained that the concrete barriers originally served as a solid wall for pedestrian safety. However, residents told the city the walls blocked sightlines, making it difficult for shorter pedestrians to see oncoming traffic. Phipps stated the city adjusted the design to address these visibility concerns.

First responders also influenced the layout. Phipps noted that drivers trying to pull over for emergency vehicles sometimes created blockades in the center pedestrian refuge areas. To give fire and police crews clear access up and down the avenue, the city scaled back those refuge sections. Phipps described the process as an ongoing iterative test to see what works in practice.

Local businesses are watching how the changes affect daily operations. Joe Kliche, manager of Centennial Cuts, a shop selling beef from a family ranch in Fowler, said the store relies on customers reaching its door easily. Kliche noted that the current center lane setup helps with loading and unloading, though he called the new stanchions in the middle of the street a little weird.

The redesign includes lane realignment, parking adjustments, and new options for people on foot. While the city had expected to add more parking, business owners report mixed reactions to the current street configuration. The latest updates act as a reset for this portion of the trial period, with planners now seeking further input to judge if the new setup is effective.