PUEBLO, CO The first project to reconstruct Interstate 25 through Pueblo, Colorado, is underway after a groundbreaking ceremony near Runyon Field.

Dignitaries with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Federal Highway Administration, the city of Pueblo, Pueblo County, the contractor team of Flatiron Constructors, and the engineering firm HDR broke ground on the reconstruction of I-25 between City Center Drive (1st Street) and Ilex Street. The project also includes upgrading a number of bridges south of downtown.

"I-25 through the heart of Pueblo is one of the oldest segments of freeway we have in the state so this reconstruction is long overdue," said CDOT Executive Director Shailen Bhatt. "It has not seen any upgrades to modernize it since it was originally built in the 1950s. I'm glad that we're finally able to build a project that'll greatly enhance safety and mobility for both for the citizens of Pueblo and the people who travel through this area."

The $69 million project consists of:

• Constructing new bridges on I-25 over D Street, the Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railroad, and Gruma Street, and replacing two structurally deficient bridges built in 1959, which cross over Ilex and Bennett streets and railroad tracks.
• Rehabilitating six bridges on I-25 northbound over U.S. 50 Business, northbound and southbound over Indiana Avenue, U.S. 50 Business over the Arkansas River, and over I-25 on Northern and Mesa Avenues
• Building the new D Street (replacing Ilex Street)
• Installing new utilities, lighting and permanent water quality ponds
• Rebuilding 1st Street (City Center Drive) on and off ramps
• Constructing new retaining and sound walls, sidewalks, curbs and gutters
• Enhancing area aesthetics and landscaping

"Getting to this point was textbook of how a number of agencies can partner together to improve our infrastructure," said Bhatt. "Today is a celebration of what we can accomplish by working together."

The project is funded through Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery and Responsible Acceleration of Maintenance and Partnership.

"This I-25 project represents safety for our community, jobs for pueblo, and the opportunity to beautify the entrance to our downtown," said Pueblo County Commissioner Liane "Buffie" McFadyen. "We celebrate the beginning of this project, it's been a long time coming."

Project completion is scheduled for summer 2017.