A long-closed tunnel is opening back up this week, providing connection for a neighborhood that has been shuttered since 2024. Elsewhere, a major water project will affect a South Academy Boulevard intersection into next month.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening on the roadways this week.

Astrozon Boulevard

The intersection of South Academy and Astrozon boulevards will see multiple closures in a phased construction project starting this week.

Crews will install waterlines and storm water infrastructure, according to the city of Colorado Springs.

The first closure will start Tuesday, May 26, and last through the end of June. The east side of Astrozon will be closed between South Academy and Jet Wing Drive. The work will be ongoing during the week, with some intermittent Saturday work. Detailed detour maps can be found at the project website.

The second phase of the project will entail a full closure of Astrozon at the South Academy Boulevard intersection from evening on Friday, June 5, through noon Monday, June 8.

The full closure is needed for crews to install waterlines across the intersection, according to the city. Work will continue through day and night shifts.

On Monday, road closures will go back to the phase one configuration, impacting only the east side of Astrozon until about noon, June 29. During the Fourth of July weekend, the road should be fully open.

In the last phase, the west side of Astrozon at the intersection will be closed from Monday, July 6 through Thursday, July 16.

The city said construction will allow access to businesses during all phases.

Circle Drive bridges

The multimillion-dollar Circle Drive project is reaching its final phases. The city plans to reopen the Willwood tunnel this week under Interstate 25, which has been closed since 2024.

The tunnel should reopen May 22, weather permitting. The closure supported work to replace the four Circle Drive bridges, first built in 1963. According to the city, the tunnel reopening “restores a key local connection between the Janitell Road area and neighborhoods west of I-25.”

Once open, the tunnel will operate with a one-way configuration, according to the city. The city advised caution in getting used to the new traffic pattern.

Pothole watch

Got an annoying neighborhood pothole? Colorado Springs is launching a tool to report potholes and track repairs online, with a surge starting this week.

Called Pothole Watch, the tool includes a dashboard at ColoradoSprings.gov/PotholeWatch with real-time information on the timeliness and location of repairs.

According to the city, Colorado Springs crews repair about 7,000 potholes each month during peak repair season — about 450 per day, weather permitting. In total, the city repairs about 75,000 to 90,000 per year.

“For the first time, residents will be able to see clear, accessible data on pothole repairs across Colorado Springs. Residents should not have to wonder whether progress is happening; they should be able to see it,” Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade said in a statement.

With the inauguration of the tool will also come a five-week “pothole surge,” with two to three trucks deployed in the city’s four maintenance districts. Residents are encouraged to report potholes ahead of the surge.

Potholes form most frequently during freeze-thaw cycles, when moisture enters cracks in pavement and expands as temperatures drop. City crews actively monitor roadway conditions and prioritize repairs based on safety, traffic volume, weather conditions and resident reports.

“When residents report potholes, it helps us respond faster and focus on the areas that need attention most,” said Richard Mulledy, Public Works director. “Our crews are out every day repairing hundreds of potholes across the city, and this dashboard gives residents a real-time look at that work.”

People can report potholes using the GoCOS mobile app, online at ColoradoSprings.gov/GoCOS or by calling 719-385-ROAD.