Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Update - Week of Oct. 16

Travel Advisory

October 14, 2022 - Southeastern Colorado - Nighttime full closure of South Academy and ramp closure at I-25 and CO 16

Colorado Springs — The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor SEMA Construction will temporarily close the southbound on-ramp at I-25 and CO 16 (Mile Point 132/131- Mesa Ridge Parkway) along with a southbound right lane on I-25. The nighttime closures are scheduled nightly Monday, Oct. 17 and Tuesday, Oct. 18 to allow the implementation of the on-ramp traffic switch from CO 16 to the new configuration.

There will be nighttime full closures of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard, starting Monday, Oct. 17 to Friday, Oct. 21, so construction crews can install overhangs and form the deck edge for the new I-25 bridge.
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.
  • Use signed detour route. Fort Carson personnel should consider using alternate gates.
  • Head-to-head traffic continues on I-25, separated by temporary barrier with 11 ft. lanes and 2 ft. shoulders. This 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.

Charter Oak Ranch Road and Santa Fe Avenue roundabout is now open, however Champlin Lane is not accessible from Santa Fe, a detour is in place while crews construct the roadway. To access Champlin Lane traffic will continue to the roundabout, then turn right onto Charter Oak Ranch Road then turn right onto Champlin Drive, then right to Champlin Lane.

Charter Oak Ranch Road and Santa Fe Avenue Roundabout

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

Night work on I-25 between MP 127 and 136

  • Monday, Oct. 17 and Tuesday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., full closure southbound on-ramp CO 16 to southbound I-25 and southbound I-25 right lane closure (MP 132/131)
  • Monday, Oct. 17 through Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. – 5:30 a.m. nightly, full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard
  • Monday, Oct. 17 through Friday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m. – 4 a.m. nightly, full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard
  • A traffic switch is currently in place from South Academy Boulevard to US-85 (Santa Fe). 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 as needed on Santa Fe Avenue and Charter Oak Ranch Road and a partial road closure on Champlin Lane, Monday, Oct. 17 to Friday, Oct. 21, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., to allow crews to complete roadway improvements. Detours are in place.
  • A temporary configuration will remain in place, traffic diverting onto Champlin Lane, Champlin Drive and northbound/southbound lanes of the new roundabout.

Colorado Highway 94

  • 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 detoured intersection for South Blaney Road has been moved temporarily 300 feet to the east utilizing the future Jug Handle roadway to re-enter South Blaney Road . Use extreme caution in the area
  • A traffic shift is in place
  • 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 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!