Finding solutions for improving the ongoing Alsace Way traffic chaos created by icy weather and speeding motorists might soon become a reality.

During a working group meeting Thursday at the Colorado Springs Police Department Gold Hill Division, Alsace Way residents met with area officials to discuss ideas leading to reducing traffic and increasing safety in their neighborhood.

In December, Alsace resident Mike Lowery presented residents and officials with a traffic safety project concept paper offering suggestions for improving neighborhood traffic safety. That meeting was prompted by the Dec. 7 snowfall that produced slick, icy roads causing several vehicle accidents.

The purpose of the working group meeting was to go over those suggestions and get feedback on the concept paper from the Colorado Springs Traffic and Engineering Department. About seven Alsace Way residents attended the working group meeting.

Icy road conditions are a major concern for Alsace Way residents. The slick ice that blankets the slope located in the north side of the hill causes drivers to lose control of their vehicles. The Dec. 7 snowfall resulted in several stranded vehicles, and one driver slammed into a tree owned by Lowery. No one was hurt, but the vehicle pile-up resulted in about $20,000 in damages.

Residents are tired of dealing with drivers who claim their vehicles can overcome the slick ice. Drivers still try to enter the hill from Hawthorne or Ridgewood even after police close the hill. Thirty years of calling the police and sanding hotline hasn’t produced solutions.

According to residents, most of Alsace Way is between 32-42 feet wide with no sidewalks, curbs or bike lanes, and that increased traffic has turned the hill there into a wreckage magnet. Public Works Department has upgraded the sanding situation during inclement weather; however, traffic volume only aggravates the situation.

Suggestions for improving traffic safety included reducing the speed in the north-bound lane (Alsace Way) and both lanes (7th Street) to 3-5 miles above the posted limits. Improving ingress/egress and safety at Cheyenne Road and 7th Street/Lake Avenue by narrowing road and constructing islands also was proposed.

Installing rumble strips or grooves at key locations, such as blind corners, to remind drivers they are in a critical speed area was proposed. Southbound grooves also are needed since there is excessive speeding uphill continuing onto 7th Street, residents said.

Also, some motorists believe that Brown Bear Lane cuts through to Cresta or Cheyenne roads and make a lot of noise when turning around, residents said. A “No Outlet” sign wouldn’t rectify the problem.

Additionally, Alsace Way/7th Street is overwhelmed by trade vans, single axle trucks from downtown and I-25 at Tejon Street that use the street as a cut-through to avoid traffic lights on S. Nevada Avenue. Also, taxis use Polo Drive to get to The Broadmoor, thereby avoiding traffic circles on Lake Ave.Tim Roberts from the Colorado Springs Traffic and Engineering Department said he has reviewed the proposals and concept paper and the situation merits correction and further discussion.

Polo Drive, which sees a lot of speeding motorists, also was a topic of discussion. While some residents looked at a 4-way traffic stop as a way to decrease traffic speed, Roberts suggested installing a traffic circle as a possible cure.

“We have been contacted about the speeding at Polo Drive and believe a traffic circle would force traffic to slow down,” Roberts said. “I’m not saying it will work, only that it is one of about 10 tools we can look at before making a decision.”

Lowery agreed: “A traffic circle would be great because drivers see the hill, hit the accelerator and carry that speed downhill. I agree with your analysis; however, there are more dangers involved here.”

Roberts also said it might be best to narrow the downhill slope instead of adding striping. “We might have to do more field review before moving forward,” he said.

The group also discussed installing radar speed signs at the midpoint of the Alsace Way hill, both uphill and downhill lanes, and removing the left turn lane on Alsace Way at Cheyenne to discourage through traffic making a right turn. Reconfiguring the Alsace at the Square Park from a corner into a full-stop “T” intersection also was discussed.

Residents said they understand that change takes time, but are glad the city is getting involved because the situation will continue to get worse if corrective action isn’t taken now.

“We’re ready to apply for funding to get the work done,” Lowery said. “There is money through grants from the Pikes Peak (Rural Transportation Authority) and from a lot of federal sources. The fact we’re here tonight means we’re getting somewhere.”

The next working group meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m., Feb. 9 at the CSPD Gold Hill Division, 955 W. Moreno Ave.