Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Project Update - Week of May 16

Travel Advisory

May 16, 2022 - Southeastern Colorado - Crews prepare for upcoming traffic switch on I-25

Colorado Springs — Colorado Department of Transportation and SEMA Construction continue work on the various improvements on I-25 between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue (Mile Point 135-127). As part of the I-25 improvement project, southbound I-25 traffic will be temporarily shifted, between South Academy Boulevard and Mesa Ridge Parkway, on to a new alignment in late May/early June.

Expect nighttime activities Wednesday and Thursday, north- and southbound I-25 left lane closures, between MP 127 and 135 to allow crews to access the median, perform paving operations, install signs for traffic switch, and install rumble strips.

Flagging operations will continue on Charter Oak Ranch Road with alternating shoulder and lane closures, and alternating one-way traffic operations 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The closures are necessary so trucks can safely access to and from the job site and to allow crews to work on the drainage system and roadway construction. Charter Oak Ranch Road traffic switch, to the new alignment is expected to take place Tuesday, May 17.

Crews began fiber optic work on the new jug handle offline of Colorado Highway 94. Construction crews will be working on the embankment at the southeast corner of CO 94 and Blaney Road. Lane closures are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

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.

Traffic speeds will be reduced to allow construction equipment access to the work zone located in the median. DO NOT FOLLOW CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES.

Motorists are encouraged to register for text alerts by Texting MAMSIP to 888-970-9665.

Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

I-25 between MP 127 and 135

  • Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., left lane closure on southbound I-25 to allow crews to access the median, install signs for traffic switch.
  • Wednesday, May 18 to Thursday, May 19, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., left lane closure on northbound I-25 to allow crews to install rumble strips and grade the S. Academy Blvd. ramp in preparation for the traffic switch.

Santa Fe Avenue and Charter Oak Ranch Road

  • Flagging operations with intermittent shoulder closures continue on Charter Oak Ranch Road and Santa Fe Avenue Monday, May 16 to Saturday, May 21, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., to allow crews to safely work on the drainage system and dirt work. A traffic switch to the final alignment is expected to take place Tuesday, May 17.

Colorado Highway 94

  • Lane closures are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

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.

Safety Benefits

The safety enhancements relate to the potential to reduce crashes, improve infrastructure, and address physical deficiencies that contribute to crashes in the corridor. CDOT conducted a safety assessment for the corridor to evaluate the magnitude and nature of safety problems and analyze the causes of crashes.

The proposed transportation improvements are mitigation measures to reduce crashes and improve safety in the corridor. It is estimated that the delivery of the MAMSIP project will, over its’ twenty years of operation, result in fewer deaths, injuries, and crashes on the four corridors the project addresses.

MAMSIP project map

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!