For the second time in a little over a month, the Interstate 25 and Cimarron Interchange project received a multi-million dollar infusion.

Colorado’s transportation commission approved $19.55 million for the project Thursday to help fill a budget shortfall. That follows a decision in mid-November to approve $20 million for the project from Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments.

The Colorado Department of Transportation requested additional money for the project as contractor bids came in higher than earlier estimates.

Construction on the interchange project is expected to start in the spring and be completed by October of 2017.

The majority of the money approved Thursday, $12.5 million, came from Regional Priority Projects funds, $5 million came from Responsible Acceleration of Maintenance and Partnerships funds, and $2.05 million came from matching funds from the city of Colorado Springs.

The interstate highway interchange is one of the busiest in the region, according to CDOT, and the interchange construction project will be the second-largest highway project in the history of Colorado Springs.

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Contact Stephen Hobbs: 636-0275

Twitter @bystephenhobbs

Construction workers get ready to pour concrete on the I-25 / Cimarron Street (US 24) Interchange on Monday, May 16, 2016. In the foreground is the southbound ramp from I-25 to Cimmaron St. In the background is traffic going over the bridge on I-25. (photo by Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE