FedEx to expand outside Peterson’s west gate

  • Published
  • By Robb Lingley
  • 21st Space Wing
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The FedEx Distribution Center is expected to begin construction on a new distribution center outside the west gate at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, in February. The City of Colorado Springs and Colorado Springs Airport authority gave its approval for the facility to be built at Stewart Avenue and Airport Road.

FedEx, which already has a major presence in Colorado Springs with data and software development centers, plans to construct a 64 bay freight facility with a 29,920 square foot distribution warehouse, a 5,151 sq. ft. office building, attached to the warehouse, and a 11,638 sq. ft. vehicle repair facility on 27.31 acres of land outside the west gate.

“The city and airport authority reviewed with us so it’s not something that was just sprung on us,” said Glenn Messke, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron planner. “We have known about it for a while and it’s just now gaining momentum for construction to begin in February.”

Traffic for the Distr. Ctr. will increase in the morning and afternoon as delivery vehicles arrive to pick up their freight.

“Unfortunately those times coincide with our peak traffic congestion here at Peterson AFB,” said Messke.

Outbound traffic should only have to stop at the Stewart and Airport intersection when FedEx trucks trip the signal light. Inbound traffic should flow continuously.

“Traffic lights, with weight sensors, have been installed at Stewart Avenue and Airport Road. to ease traffic conditions when the FedEx Distribution Center opens,” said Messke. “The highest traffic congestion is expected to be between 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.”

FedEx is scheduled to open its distribution center in November 2018 in time for the holiday season.