On Thursday, October 11th, Mayor Bach participated in the ribbon cutting for the new tollgate on the Pikes Peak Highway. The tollgate facilities now consist of an expanded three-lane tollgate operation; office areas for staff; and a break room and storage area. Total square footage has been increased from 200 square feet to approximately 1,300 square feet.
The City of Colorado Springs has operated the Pikes Peak Highway in partnership with the United States Forest Service under a term special use permit since 1948. Each year the highway staff welcomes more than 250,000 visitors to one of the region’s most notable landmarks. This new facility provides an impressive entrance for one of the area’s key tourist destinations.
“Pikes Peak is our beacon and the lighthouse for our region,” said Mayor Bach. He thanked the staff, architect Clifford Taylor, and Copestone Construction for making the project possible. The Mayor also welcomed the first visitors through the new tollgate, Adam and Keshia Saul, a couple from Virginia who came all the way to Colorado to visit America’s Mountain.
