The Colorado Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that the Colorado 96 (Lincoln Street) project to add a center turn lane between Abriendo and Orman avenues has been postponed.

However, CDOT will replace the signals at Abriendo Avenue and Lincoln Street, as well as the Lincoln Street signals at Orman Avenue and Evans Avenue.

"Combining the planned signal replacement with the safety project of widening Lincoln was an opportunity to lower the total construction costs, ultimately saving taxpayers' dollars," explained Karen Rowe, Region 2 transportation director.

"CDOT believes the center turn lane and reduction in lane width will improve safety and reduce speed on the corridor and is a good project for the traveling public.

"Because of the concerns raised, we will delay this project to a later date," Rowe continued. "There are numerous other projects in the region the funding can be used to improve safety, such as the I-25 cable rail installation between Pueblo and Colorado Springs."

The Lincoln Street project was planned to begin construction in 2019. CDOT will need to use existing right-of-way on both sides of Lincoln to construct the turning lane.

The design of the project has been completed, but construction will be postponed.

The signal replacements and Americans with Disabilities Act ramps at Abriendo, Orman and Evans along Lincoln will be upgraded to current standards. CDOT will began advertising for bids in late 2018.