COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The City of Colorado Springs will break ground on the long-anticipated Las Vegas/Royer Railroad Crossing Project right after Labor Day weekend, marking a significant step in addressing long-standing safety concerns and modernizing transportation infrastructure.
.png)
The project will construct a new roadway and railroad crossing to replace the aging Royer Street crossing, which has been the site of repeated train-related traffic issues. Once complete, the Royer Street crossing will be permanently closed, and a new cul-de-sac will be built north of the railroad.
As part of the redesign, crews will also build Twin Bridges Road, a new street that will run underneath U.S. Highway 24, providing a direct connection between Las Vegas Street and Hancock Expressway. This infrastructure improvement is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion and create a safer route for both drivers and pedestrians.
Funded through the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA), the project is centered on enhancing safety. The Federal Railroad Administration reports that 25 non-fatal “train vs. vehicle” accidents have occurred at the Royer Street crossing since 1975. Each incident resulted in major delays, with rail operators required to stop service until vehicles were cleared. City officials say the new design will virtually eliminate those risks.
The scope of improvements includes:
“This project has been years in the making and represents a major investment in public safety,” city officials noted in their project update. “By removing a dangerous crossing and creating new connections, we’re not only improving traffic flow but also protecting lives.”
One lane on Las Vegas Street will remain open with daytime flagging operations. Crews will build temporary pavement and support structures.
Traffic will shift onto temporary pavement while Las Vegas Street is raised and rebuilt.
Two-way traffic will return to the completed roadway on Las Vegas Street. Construction of Twin Bridges Road will begin.
East Las Vegas Street and Royer Street intersection will close for two weeks for concrete installation. Twin Bridges Road and the new crossing will open, while the old Royer crossing will be removed and converted into a cul-de-sac.
The entire project is expected to be completed by Fall 2026.
Local leaders emphasized that the improvements are about more than transportation — they’re about ensuring safety for the community. “This is the type of infrastructure upgrade that not only improves daily commutes but also prevents dangerous situations that have disrupted lives for decades,” officials said.
Originally reported by Ashleigh Quintana in KOAA News.
.webp)
