COLORADO SPRINGS — Garden of the Gods at I-25 remains closed for at least another several days as crews work to repair a water main break below the road surface.
Wednesday evening, Colorado Springs Utilities said they hope to have the road open by early next week.
Thursday, CSU said they had made progress with a new pipe being installed and the first layer of asphalt done. The businesses on the south side of Garden of the Gods Rd can now be accessed via Chestnut St.
On Tuesday afternoon, water flooded across the road between Chestnut St and Rusina Rd on the west side of Interstate 25 in Colorado Springs.
According to Colorado Springs Utilities spokesperson Ted Skroback, crews have located the 24-inch mainline connection that's the source of the problem. The line was installed in the 1950's.
While crews have the road open there is an investigation further into the line and the best way to approach this repair and avoiding future problems.
Skroback did voice a concern about a national shortage of supplies required to complete this effort. Additionally, the entire road may not open at once, instead a lane or two may be open for a few days before a full opening.
On Wednesday afternoon, a new problem popped up. A sinkhole opened up due to a broken water main behind the McDonald's on the east side of I-25 along Garden of the Gods Rd.
Colorado Springs Utilities said this is a private main and this break is not related to the work happening on the other side of the highway.
For alternate routes regarding the closure of Garden of the Gods, use Centennial to the west for a north/south route, Nevada to the east for a north/south route. For east/west routes, considering using Rockrimmon or Fillmore.
The break has left surrounding businesses without water and has caused major traffic problems.
Traveler, Rachel Bleich, planned on staying at a nearby hotel, but after hearing word of the water break she began to look for other hotels.
"It is going to be an inconvenience just showering and getting ready and having water to go out and hike to site see and enjoy the area," said Bleich.
On Tuesday afternoon, CSU announced that the water main break was a result of a coupling failure.
Crews will continue to pump the water out of the sink hole.
We found the failure in the pipe connection that caused today’s water main break on Garden of the Gods Road. We are working to find the best solution & get the road opened as soon as possible in the safest way. Please continue to avoid Garden of the Gods between I-25 & Chestnut. pic.twitter.com/ukuqWtmnH3
— Co.Springs Utilities (@CSUtilities) July 14, 2021
News5 will keep you updated on the road closure.
