Officials from the city of Colorado Springs will collect input on a plan to decrease traffic from four to two lanes on five streets near the Colorado College campus during a meeting that starts at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa St.

The open house will include displays and exhibits showing the proposed concepts and constraints, and attendees to can asked questions and give comments to city engineers and planners.

The project is intended to address safety concerns for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists on Cascade, Nevada and Wahsatch avenues, and Fontanero and Weber streets.

Vehicle traffic on those streets would be reduced to one lane in each direction for several blocks to also lessen noise, eliminate street racing and according to a 2013 CC transportation plan, decrease auto accidents anywhere from 10 to 65 percent.

The plan was designed by members of the Old North End Neighborhood Association, which represents an historic area of town that borders the college.

City traffic engineers like the plan, but some neighbors do not.

Another group has formed in opposition, SaferCC.com, which is advocating for an underpass to be built for pedestrians, bicyclists and skateboarders.

The group says shrinking traffic would alter the look of the neighborhood and impede access to the area, calling it an “ill-conceived plan being put forth under the pretense of safety.”

Proponents of the “safety sizing” plan say it’s the best solution to help prevent students from being hit by vehicles and quieting noisy traffic in the neighborhood.  

Tuesday’s meeting is wheelchair-accessible. A sign language interpreter may be requested by contacting Tim Roberts, 385-5481 or troberts@springsgov.com.