Motorists who regularly use Austin Bluffs Parkway are advised to plan ahead to give themselves extra time or consider alternate routes in the coming weeks as Colorado Springs Utilities begins relocating electric infrastructure along the roadway beginning Monday, according to a recent news release. The first phase of the Central Bluffs Substation Project, which will combine two substations and a switch station into a single facility, will result in the closure of two westbound lanes on Austin Bluffs, from just west of Goldenrod Drive to the Union Boulevard off ramp, CSU officials said.  Crews will be relocating underground electric lines during this phase. The Central Bluffs Substation project is designed to improve the adaptability and efficiency of the  electric grid as the city’s power needs change, officials said. The project should be completed by January 2027. Drivers using Austin Bluffs during this initial phase should expect congestion and slower travel times, especially during peak morning and afternoon hours, the release stated. The two westbound lanes should be reopened by Feb. 19, but CSU anticipates more traffic shifts and lane closures along Austin Bluffs in the coming months. For more information on the project, visit csu.org/central-bluffs-substation. ...read more read less