Colorado's "Highway From Hell" is getting a much-need major upgrade.

Groundbreaking was held this week on a brand new project to widen Interstate 25 between Castle Rock and Monument.

I-25, between Denver and Colorado Springs, is notorious for continuous high volumes of traffic, congestion, accidents, and delays. Those things may not be going away, but this is bound to help.

The improvements will mean an extra lane in both directions for an 18-mile stretch, giving motorists three lanes instead of two. That "extra" lane will be an express lane which motorists can choose to use for a toll.  Cars with at least three passengers will be able to use the express lane for free. Enough people are likely going to use the toll lane that the other two lanes should see a reduction in traffic volumes.

In addition to the extra lane, shoulders will be widened, plus five new wildlife crossings will be constructed along with the installation of deer fencing.

This major project is costing about $350 million and is targeted to be completed by the end of 2021. Until then, workers will be on the job round the clock, and they still expect that two lanes of traffic will always be open in both directions, though at slower speeds.

If you have never driven this stretch of I-25, it only takes one time and you will understand why we call this the "highway from hell." These improvements should help make the 'heat' a little more bearable.

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