I-25 South Gap project spreads holiday cheer with the gift of progress
News Release
DOUGLAS COUNTY — Three more structures – an interchange and two wildlife crossings - will be completed in December as part of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) I-25 South Gap project with general contractor Kraemer North America to improve safety and travel reliability along Interstate 25 between Castle Rock and Monument.
The Greenland Road and I-25 interchange is expected to open the morning of Dec. 22. Since June 2019, crews have been working to transform this single-lane box culvert (circa 1948) into a full two-lane underpass while also flattening curves along I-25 approaching the interchange and widening the interstate. With the bridge complete, traffic will be shifted into its final alignment on I-25.
Additionally, two new wildlife underpasses are complete. One is located just south of the Greenland Road interchange, and the other is just north of the County Line Road bridge. Each wildlife underpass is 100 feet wide and 18 feet tall. A total of four new underpasses along this wildlife corridor are expected to result in a 90% decline in wildlife versus vehicle collisions. View photos of the new underpasses.
Greenland Road and I-25 interchange before and after shots below:
Travel Impacts
For traffic to be shifted into its final alignment near Greenland Road on Dec. 22, crew will require two separate impacts:
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Ongoing through 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21: closure of the southbound I-25 off-ramp to Greenland Road. To access Greenland Road, motorists should continue south on I-25, turn-around at County Line Road (exit 163) and use the northbound I-25 off-ramp to Greenland Road.
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From 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, to 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, southbound I-25 will be closed for the final traffic shift at Greenland Road. Motorists will funnel into one lane and use the Greenland Road off- and on-ramps to detour around the closure. Expect delays up to 15 minutes for this closure. Detour map below.
Finalizing the new I-25 alignment and the interchange will require striping. Painting is highly dependent on both moisture and temperatures, so this schedule could change. Please watch for updates, or visit i25gap.codot.gov, or the project’s Facebook page (@I25SouthGapProject) for updated information.
While a majority of major impacts will be complete in this area following the traffic shift, motorists should continue to watch for crews and lane closures as they complete work on mainline I-25. Flaggers will still be present at the Greenland Road interchange, so please practice extra caution in the area.
Stay Informed:
Project hotline: 720-745-5434
Web: i25gap.codot.gov
Sign up for email updates: [email protected]
Text alerts: Text I25GAP to 21000
Project Facebook page: Facebook.com/
Know Before You Go
Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:
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Road conditions and travel information: www.COtrip.org
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Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts
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See scheduled lane closures: codot.gov/travel/scheduled-
lane-closures.html -
Connect with us on social media: Twitter @coloradodot and Facebook facebook.com/coloradodot
About the Project
CDOT is improving 18 miles of I-25 between Monument and Castle Rock by widening the highway from two to three lanes in each direction. The new lane will operate as an Express Lane, allowing motorists the choice of taking the Express Lane for a faster, more reliable travel time in exchange for a toll. Express Lanes will be free to vehicles with three or more people and motorcycles. All travelers will have the choice of taking the general-purpose lanes for free.
The project also includes shoulder widening, rebuilding bridges, new wildlife crossings, resurfacing with new pavement and modernizing technology. Project completion is scheduled for 2022.
Remember: Slow for the Cone Zone
The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.
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Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
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Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
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Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
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Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
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Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
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Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
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Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
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Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
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Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
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Be patient!