Drivers on Las Vegas Street in south Colorado Springs are navigating a third round of construction disruption this year, this time stemming from a major infrastructure upgrade by Colorado Springs Utilities at its wastewater treatment facility.

All of the year's construction activity has taken place on Las Vegas Street, a mostly narrow two-lane corridor between Nevada Avenue and Highway 85/87 that borders the south city limits and the El Paso County boundary.

The stretch first saw disruption from the final stages of the Circle Drive bridge replacement project, followed by the start of construction on a new railroad crossing under the MLK Bypass to Hancock Expressway. Now, a project in front of the CSU wastewater treatment facility is causing additional traffic impacts for drivers.

CSU is in the second month of a $30 million project to make upgrades at the facility, and work will continue into next year. The utility is replacing three 50-year-old junction boxes that direct wastewater into the facility.

Construction requires closing the eastbound lane beside the facility, with traffic in both directions alternating use of the westbound lane. Officials have installed temporary traffic signals at each end of the work zone to guide traffic. The new traffic alignment results in occasional long backups, especially during the day and rush hour periods.

A utility spokesperson said that upgrading this infrastructure will improve reliability, reduce the risk of emergency repairs, and support long-term system performance.

The full timeline for restoring normal traffic conditions on Las Vegas Street will depend on the pace of the CSU project, which remains ongoing into next year.