Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of April 9

Travel Advisory

April 7, 2023 - Southeastern Colorado - Southbound Interstate 25 ramp closures for utility work

El Paso County — The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor SEMA Construction continue work on improvements on I-25 between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue (mile point 135-127). As part of the I-25 improvement project, there will be a nightly southbound I-25 right lane closure, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., near Mesa Ridge Parkway (exit 132) for installation of lighting and electrical utility work. The closure is scheduled for Monday, April 10 through Thursday, April 13.

Also, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., the southbound I-25 on-ramp at South Academy Blvd. will be closed on Monday night, April 10, and the southbound off-ramp at Mesa Ridge Pkwy. (exit 132A) will be closed Monday and Tuesday night related to lighting installation.

Detours will be in place:

  • To enter southbound I-25 from South Academy Boulevard, traffic will travel west to the CanAm Highway, turn south and continue to Mesa Ridge Parkway, turn west and enter I-25 south
  • To exit southbound I-25 to Mesa Ridge Parkway, traffic will proceed south to Santa Fe Avenue (Exit 128), turn around and travel north to Exit 132

Possible traffic slowdowns, please expect delays and plan additional time to travel through the area.

There will be a nighttime right shoulder closure Monday, April 10, Wednesday, April 12, and Thursday, April 13 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., on the I-25 exit 132B off-ramp. Additionally, there will be a nightly northbound I-25 left lane closure between mile points 133-135 scheduled for Wednesday, April 12, and Thursday, April 13 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. to allow crews to shift barriers.

Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. 

Traffic Impacts

I-25 between MP 127 and 135
Nighttime closures include:

  • Monday, April 10 through Thursday, April 13, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., southbound I-25 right lane closure at MP 132
  • Monday, April 10, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., southbound I-25 on-ramp closure at MP 135
  • Monday, April 10 and Tuesday, April 11, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., southbound I-25 off-ramp closure at MP 132A
  • Monday, April 10 through Thursday, April 13, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., southbound I-25 off-ramp shoulder closure at MP 132B
  • Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13, 7 p.m. – 5 a.m., northbound I-25 left lane closure between MP 133-135

Detour route for ramp closures on I-25 the week of April 9, 2023Detour route for ramp closures on I-25 the week of April 9, 2023

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 (U.S. 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 CO 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

About the Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Build Grant

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has initiated a program to deliver more efficient and safer mobility along I-25, Colorado Highway 94, South Academy Boulevard, and Charter Oak Ranch Road, enabling economic stability and development. The Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program is partially funded through an $18 million BUILD grant award from the US Department of Transportation. The delivery of these improvements will strengthen and enhance the redundancy of strategic movement between the nationally significant El Paso County military installations of Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, and Schriever Space Force Base.

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!

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