Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program - Week of July 31

Travel Advisory

July 29, 2022 - Southeastern Colorado - Traffic switch configuration rescheduled for southbound I-25 between CO 16 and Santa Fe Avenue

Colorado Springs — Due to weather the Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor SEMA Construction has rescheduled the temporary shift of southbound I-25 easterly to the newly constructed inside lanes from Colorado Highway 16 (Mesa Ridge Parkway) to Santa Fe Avenue beginning 7 a.m. Monday, August 1. A contingency for the traffic switch is in place for Wednesday night, August 3 if weather prevents the switch from taking place Sunday night.

Overhead View of I-25 in Colorado Springs
Traffic on I-25 will be head-to-head, separated by temporary barrier with 11 ft. lanes and 2 ft. shoulders. Motorists should be aware of the new southbound on-ramp configuration from S. Academy Blvd. and a new southbound to westbound off-ramp configuration to CO 16 with the Phase 1, I-25 traffic switch. Motorists should also be aware that with the upcoming traffic switch a new southbound on-ramp to I-25 from CO 16 and a new southbound off ramp to Santa Fe Ave will be encountered. Two access points to I-25 for emergency responders will be placed between Colorado 16 and Santa Fe with this traffic switch.
The new traffic configuration will be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Normal working hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. The speed limit in this area has been reduced to 55 MPH. Slight traffic delays are expected and motorists are urged to use extra caution while traveling in the new traffic pattern. Fines will be double through the construction zone.
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.
Flagging operations will continue on Charter Oak Ranch Road and Santa Fe Avenue with alternating lane closures and alternating one-way traffic operations Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Santa Fe Boulevard and Charter Oak Ranch Road intersection will remain closed and a detour in place so construction crews can continue earthwork, base course, curb and gutter installation. Use extreme caution in the area.

Map of I-25 between CO 16 and Santa Fe in Colorado Springs

The 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 to work on the Jug Handle intersection. The detour will remain in place until early fall. 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.

Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

I-25 between MP 127 and 135

  • Sunday night, July 31, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., alternating right and left lane closures SB on I-25 between MP 127 to 131 so construction crews can perform traffic switch.
  • Contingency – Wednesday night, August 3, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., alternating right and left lane closures SB on I-25 between MP 127 to 131 so construction crews can perform traffic switch.
  • A traffic switch is currently in place from S. Academy Blvd. and CO 16. Use extreme caution, speed limit 55 MPH

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, Aug. 1 to Friday, Aug. 8, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., to allow crews can continue earthwork, base course, curb and gutter installation. A detour is in place. Use extreme caution in the area.

Colorado Highway 94

  • Monday, Aug. 1 to Friday, Aug. 8, 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, and 
  • 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.

Project Map of MAMSIP

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

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:

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!