Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program - Week of July 18
Travel Advisory
Colorado Springs — As part of the work being performed by the Colorado Department of Transportation and SEMA Construction, motorists should be aware as they will encounter a traffic switch on southbound I-25 between South Academy Boulevard and Colorado Highway 16 (Mesa Ridge Parkway), a new southbound on-ramp configuration from South Academy Boulevard and a new southbound to westbound off-ramp configuration to CO 16. There will be additional nighttime lane restrictions to continue work on the southbound I-25 lane shift from CO 16 to Santa Fe Avenue. The traveling public will encounter this southbound I-25 shift in late July. This traffic configuration will be in place through early 2023 to allow for the construction of the new southbound lanes with concrete pavement that will provide increased stability and durability.
On Thursday, July 21 and Friday, July 22, there will be nighttime single lane restrictions work on southbound I-25 between CO 16 and Santa Fe Avenue (MP 128.3) to place temporary concrete barrier.
Flagging operations will continue on Charter Oak Ranch Road with alternating lane closures and alternating one-way traffic operations Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Santa Fe Boulevard and Charter Oak Ranch Road intersection will remain closed and a detour in place so construction crews can continue paving, curb and gutter, and drainage installation. Use extreme caution in the area.
A full closure remains in place at the intersection of Colorado Highway 94 and North Blaney Road with traffic detoured to North Curtis Road as construction crews continue work on the Jug Handle intersection. The detour will remain in place until late-summer. Motorists traveling on CO 94 are cautioned to watch for motorists turning onto CO 94 from South Blaney Road. Landfill Vehicles utilizing Waste Management’s facility will use Curtis Road to access landfill via the Davis Road detour, then southerly on North Blaney Road. North Blaney Road access to CO 94 is closed.
On-going traffic shift with a right lane closure eastbound and turn lane closure westbound on CO 94 with head-to-head traffic, between MP 6 to MP 8 to allow crews the necessary room to perform earthwork activities for the widening of CO 94 and the new Jug Handle intersection. A traffic shift is in place. Use extreme caution, speed limit 50 MPH.
A Courtesy Patrol will be driving the work zone and will respond to incidents when notified. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and holidays.
Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.
Traffic Impacts
I-25 between MP 127 and 135
- Thursday, July 21 and Friday, July 22 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., left lane restrictions on southbound I-25 at MP 128.3 for placement of temporary concrete barrier
- A traffic shift is in place between MP 132 to MP 135. Speed limit 55 MPH
- Additional truck traffic for embankment and paving work. Use extreme caution
Santa Fe Avenue and Charter Oak Ranch Road
- Flagging operations with alternating lane closures and alternating one-way traffic continues on Charter Oak Ranch Road and Santa Fe Avenue Monday, July 18 to Friday, July 22, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., allowing crews to continue earthwork on the base course, curb and gutter, and drainage installation. Use extreme caution in the area
Colorado Highway 94
- Monday, July, 18 to Friday, July 22, right lane closure EB and turn lane closure WB on CO 94 at MP 6 to 8, to allow crews to perform earthwork activities for the widening of CO 94 and the new Jug Handle intersection
- A full closure is in place on North Blaney Road. Vehicles will not be able to access North Blaney Road from CO 94 or access CO 94 from North Blaney Road. This closure will remain in place through early fall
- A traffic shift is in place. Use extreme caution, speed limit 50 MPH
Project Overview
Interstate-25 – Safety and efficiency improvements
The improvements to I-25 addressed in this project are located along an approximately 7.5-mile segment of the corridor beginning at South Academy Boulevard and extending to the Santa Fe Avenue (CO 85/87) exit at Fountain (MP 128), which exits to Gate 19 of Fort Carson.
- Replacement of two bridges crossing over South Academy Boulevard
- Widening of both inside and outside shoulders and installing safety improvements
- Concrete surface treatment overlay to provide an improved riding surface for this 7.5-mile segment
- Installation of median barrier the entire length of this corridor
- Rehab and widening work on four bridges along the corridor
- Installation of I-25 Southbound deceleration lane at the interchange with Colorado Highway 16
Charter Oak Ranch Road is accessible off Interstate 25 via Santa Fe Avenue (Colorado Highway 85) and is the only access to Gate 19 of Fort Carson, the region’s largest employer. Project improvements include:
- Improve infrastructure
- Enhance connectivity and efficiency for Charter Oak Ranch Road, the entry point to Fort Carson’s Gate 19 from the I-25 corridor
Colorado Highway 94
Safety and efficiency improvements with the addition of passing lanes, turn lanes, road widening and the installation of fiber on CO 94, which connects Schriever Space Force Base with Peterson Space Fore Base and central Colorado Springs.
Safety Benefits
CDOT conducted a safety assessment for the corridor to evaluate the magnitude and nature of safety problems and analyze the causes of crashes. These transportation improvements are mitigation measures to reduce crashes, improve infrastructure, and address physical deficiencies that contribute to crashes in the corridor. Over the next twenty years, the project is estimated to result in fewer deaths, injuries, and crashes on the four MAMSIP corridors.
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:
- Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
- Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
- Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
- See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
- Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone
The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.
- Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
- Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
- Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
- Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
- Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
- Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
- Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
- Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
- Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
- Be patient!
Download the COtrip App!
The new FREE COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!