Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Update - Week of Oct. 10

Travel Advisory

October 10, 2022 - Southeastern Colorado - Southbound I-25 and South Academy Boulevard will be closed nightly for bridge work from Oct. 12 to Oct. 14

Colorado Springs — The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor SEMA Construction will temporarily close southbound I-25 over South Academy Boulevard and the east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes under I-25 as part of the MAMSIP bridge reconstruction project. Work is expected to be performed during evening hours on Wednesday October 12, Thursday October 13, and Friday October 14 so construction crews can install eight new bridge girders. The closure is weather dependent and subject to change.

Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Wednesday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m. – 5:30 a.m. nightly

Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Wednesday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 14, 6 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. nightly

Full closure on southbound I-25 and single inside lane closure on northbound I-25

  • Wednesday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. nightly

Detours will be in place:

  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted south on I-25 to Colorado Highway 16 (exit 132A), where they will turn around and re-enter I-25 north to South Academy Blvd.
  • Westbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted north on I-25 to Lake Ave./South Circle Dr. (exit 138), where they will turn around and re-enter I-25 south to South Academy Blvd.
  • Southbound I-25 traffic will take exit 135 off-ramp and re-enter the on-ramp to continue south.
    Traffic on I-25 will be head-to-head, separated by temporary barrier with 11 foot lanes and 2 foot shoulders.

South Academy Boulevard lane closures near Fort Carson

Beginning Monday, October 17, there will be nighttime lanes closures on eastbound or westbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 for bridge deck construction. These periodic nighttime closures are expected to continue through mid-November. This work will be performed during evening hours 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., Monday - Friday.

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 cross overs for emergency responders will placed between Colorado 16 and Santa Fe Ave. 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.

As an added safety measure, CDOT has built four temporary emergency pull-off areas on the northbound side, that drivers can use if necessary.

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.

Recorded Press Briefing: October 10

Traffic Impacts

Night work on I-25 between MP 127 and 136\

  • Monday, Oct. 10 and Tuesday 11, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. nighttime single right lane closures at northbound I-25 (MP 127 – 135) for coring.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. nighttime closures of the southbound off-ramp at I-25 and CO 16 (Mile Point 132B - Mesa Ridge Parkway) for pipe installation.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 12, Thursday, Oct. 13 and Friday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., nighttime closures northbound on I-25 for girder erection operations at S. Academy Blvd.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., single inside lane closure on northbound I-25 for crane erection.
  • Thursday, Oct. 13 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. single outside lane closure on southbound I-25 for barrier removal and ramp paving (MP 131.2)
  • Saturday, Oct. 15, 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. nighttime closures of the southbound on- and off-ramps at I-25 and CO 16 (Mile Point 132A/B - Mesa Ridge Parkway) for roadway paving operations.
  • A traffic switch is currently in place from S. Academy Blvd. to US-85 (Santa Fe). Use extreme caution, speed limit 55 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 south I-25 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. The project includes:

  • 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
  • Installation of median barrier
  • Rehab and widening work on four bridges
  • Installation of an I-25 southbound deceleration lane at the interchange with Colorado Highway 16

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 20 years, the project is estimated to result in fewer deaths, injuries, and crashes on the four MAMSIP corridors.

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!