2C-Funded Paving Season Begins In Colorado Springs

From the City of Colorado Springs:

April 22, 2020

The fifth year of 2C-funded paving operations began today, April 22, on Meadow Lane, which is located near the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. An estimated 225 lane miles are scheduled to be paved in 2020, which will bring the five-year program total to 1,069 lane miles.

The 2020 2C-funded paving list is available at www.coloradosprings.gov/2c.

“As always, we remain committed to improving the trajectory of our city’s transportation infrastructure, and voter-approved ballot issue 2C has been critical in delivering on this promise,” said Mayor John Suthers. “The dedicated revenue stream is allowing us to continue the critical work of improving the infrastructure of Colorado Springs even in an unprecedented time for residents and our economy.”

2C is a voter-approved 0.62 percent sales tax that has generated roughly $50 million a year since 2016 solely for roadway infrastructure repairs. Due to the economic impact of COVID-19, current sales tax projections are estimating a $7 million hit to 2C tax revenue in 2020. Despite the projected loss, 2C work in 2020 will continue as planned thanks to 2C tax revenue over the previous four years bringing in $12 million more than estimated. This will offset the projected losses and still be able to fund additional roadway projects as planned.

2C is a five-year program that began in 2016 after voters passed ballot item 2C in the 2015 election. Voters passed a five-year extension of 2C (2021-2025) at a reduced tax rate of 0.57 percent in 2019. The new tax rate begins Jan. 1, 2021.

From 2016-2019, the 2C program paved 844 lane miles and significant concrete work was completed, including approximately 130 miles of curb and gutter, nearly 24 football fields of sidewalk and more than 4,353 new and retrofitted pedestrian ramps. Concrete is an essential part of roadway maintenance.

Planned concrete work for 2020 is on schedule and projected to be complete in late summer. Upon completion of the 2020 concrete program, crews will focus on the 2021 list as funds are available. Crews will conduct concrete repair work simultaneously with paving operations as weather permits.

For more information about 2C, including an interactive paving map, visit www.coloradosprings.gov/2c.

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This press release was produced by the City of Colorado Springs. The views expressed here are the author’s own.