Southmoor Drive Reopens After Six-Year Closure, Bringing Relief to Fountain Drivers
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
After six years of detours, frustration, and increased traffic on surrounding roadways, Southmoor Drive in Fountain has officially reopened to through traffic, restoring a critical east-west connection for residents and businesses on the city's west side. The reopening marks the end of one of Fountain's longest-running transportation disruptions.
The roadway was originally closed in April 2020 after severe erosion along Fountain Creek threatened the stability of the road. Years of planning, engineering, funding, and construction followed before the extensive creek restoration project could be completed, allowing the city to safely reopen the corridor. The restoration project itself was completed in 2025 after more than $7 million in stabilization work designed to protect the roadway from future erosion.
In recent weeks, crews completed the final paving operations on Southmoor Drive. While motorists may still encounter occasional daytime lane closures for minor finishing work, two-way traffic has now been restored, giving drivers full access across the corridor once again.
For many Fountain residents, the reopening is more than just a completed construction project- it's the return of a vital route that had forced thousands of drivers onto U.S. Highway 85/87 and nearby neighborhood streets for years.
The closure significantly altered daily travel patterns, particularly for residents living west of Highway 85/87. Trips to shopping centers, schools, restaurants, and neighborhoods that once took only a few minutes often required lengthy detours, increasing congestion at major intersections throughout Fountain.
Businesses near the closure also felt the impact. Reduced visibility and limited accessibility meant fewer customers, while navigation apps frequently directed visitors toward barricaded sections of Southmoor Drive, creating confusion for both residents and newcomers. Community organizations located near the closure experienced similar challenges as guests struggled to reach their destinations.
With traffic once again flowing along Southmoor Drive, many drivers can expect shorter commute times and less congestion on Highway 85/87. The reopening is expected to redistribute local traffic, easing pressure on several intersections that had absorbed years of diverted vehicles.
The project also represents a significant investment in Fountain's long-term infrastructure. Engineers stabilized the creek bank using a combination of rock structures, native vegetation, and erosion-control measures designed to withstand future high-water events while protecting both the roadway and nearby public infrastructure. More than 21,000 willow stakes and dozens of cottonwood trees were planted as part of the environmental restoration effort.
For a community that has spent six years navigating barricades and detours, the reopening of Southmoor Drive signals more than the completion of a construction project. It restores an important transportation link, improves access for residents and businesses, and closes the chapter on one of Fountain's most disruptive infrastructure challenges in recent memory.
