Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of December 17

Travel Advisory

December 15, 2023 - Southeastern Colorado - Overnight northbound I-25 temporary closure rescheduled

Colorado Springs —­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation has rescheduled a temporary full closure of northbound I-25 at Santa Fe Avenue for Tuesday, Dec. 19 as part of a traffic switch. Northbound I-25 traffic will shift to the east on new permanent pavement. Crews will begin work between the middle of the current southbound lanes and the new northbound lanes, from Mile Post 128 to 135. In addition, the northbound I-25 on-ramps at Santa Fe Avenue (mile 128) and Mesa Ridge Parkway (mile 132) will also be closed. All lanes will reopen at 5 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Full closure of northbound I-25 at Santa Fe Avenue:

  • Tuesday, Dec. 19, 9 p.m. to Wednesday, Dec. 20, 5 a.m.

Full closure of northbound I-25 on-ramp Santa Fe Avenue:

  • Tuesday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. to Wednesday, Dec. 20, 5 a.m.

Full closure of northbound I-25 on-ramp at Mesa Ridge Parkway:

  • Tuesday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m. to Wednesday, Dec. 20, 5 a.m.
Detour route for northbound I-25 closure
Detour route for northbound I-25 closure

Detours will be in place:

  • Northbound I-25 through traffic will exit at mile 128, travel north on US 85/87, turn west onto South Academy Boulevard, and re-enter I-25 at mile 135.
  • Traffic intending to enter northbound I-25 at Santa Fe Avenue will be diverted to northbound US 85/87, turn west onto South Academy Boulevard, and re-enter I-25 at mile 135.
  • Traffic intending to enter northbound I-25 at Mesa Ridge Parkway will travel south and exit at Santa Fe Avenue, turn left and travel north on US 85/87, turn west onto South Academy Boulevard, and re-enter I-25 at mile 135.

In case of inclement weather, a contingency night has been scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 20.

To prepare for future paving operations, I-25 will require a detour of southbound lanes at MP 128 using on- and off-ramps at Santa Fe Avenue as part of the construction on Wednesday night, December 20. Detours will be in place, starting at 7 p.m. This work will shift to Thursday night, December 21 if inclement weather impacts the traffic switch.

Re-route traffic on southbound I-25 using Santa Fe Avenue on- and off-ramps

  • Wednesday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. through Thursday, Dec. 21, 6 a.m.

Additionally, the northbound I-25 left shoulder will be closed nightly Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Santa Fe Avenue and South Academy Boulevard to allow crews to set temporary barriers.

Also, there will be a westbound right lane closure on South Academy Boulevard under I-25 on Friday, Dec.15, noon to 2 p.m., for wall reinforcement work.

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Effective December 7, a new detour is in place for westbound travel on South Academy Boulevard between US 85 and I-25 over Fountain Creek.

Two eastbound lanes on South Academy Boulevard are open, along with a single westbound lane using the eastbound South Academy bridge over Fountain Creek. Speeds across the detour cross over lanes and across the bridge will be reduced to 35 MPH. Bridge lanes will be 11 feet wide with a 2-foot shoulder. Oversize loads will not be allowed on the bridge during this closure. The closure of the westbound South Academy Boulevard bridge is ongoing for scour bridge investigation and countermeasures.

On Monday night, Dec. 18, there will be an eastbound right lane closure on South Academy Boulevard east of the bridge over Fountain Creek and approaching the CanAm Highway to set temporary barrier.

A left lane closure is ongoing for northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road to allow crews to perform bridge work. This left lane closure will be in place for approximately three months.

There will also be an ongoing auxiliary lane closure on northbound South Academy Boulevard between Hartford Street and Fountain Creek through mid-December for drainage line work.

These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

Night work on I-25 between US 85/Fountain (MP 127) and South Academy Boulevard (MP 135)

  • Friday, Dec. 15, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Westbound South Academy Boulevard right lane closure under I-25
  • Tuesday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
    • Northbound I-25 on-ramp closure at Mesa Ridge Parkway (mile 132)
  • Tuesday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
    • Northbound I-25 on-ramp closure at Santa Fe Avenue (mile 128)
  • Tuesday, Dec. 19, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
    • Northbound I-25 temporary full closure at Santa Fe Avenue (mile 128)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. through Thursday, Dec. 21, 6 a.m.
    • Re-route traffic on southbound I-25 using Santa Fe Avenue exit 128 off-ramp and re-enter the on-ramp to continue south.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 20 and Thursday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
    • Northbound I-25 left shoulder closure between miles 128 and 135

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Monday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., right lane closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard east of the bridge over Fountain Creek
  • Ongoing full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard over Fountain Creek – new detour in place
  • Ongoing northbound and southbound left lane closure at South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road, in place for approximately five months
  • Ongoing northbound auxiliary lane closure on South Academy Boulevard between Hartford Street and Fountain Creek. This auxiliary lane will be closed through mid-December
  • Ongoing shift of all lanes on Bradley Road to north side (Sunday and Monday) and south side (Tuesday and ongoing) of roadway under South Academy Boulevard bridge
  • Ongoing closure of the Fountain Creek Regional Trail under South Academy Boulevard

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

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

The improvements to South Academy Boulevard in this project are located on South Academy Boulevard at the southern mile and a half of this arterial road from the I-25 interchange, crossing U.S. Highway 85/ 87, and continuing to the road’s approach to Milton Proby Parkway (which connects to Powers Boulevard/CO 21). Construction focuses on widening an approximately 1.5-mile section of South Academy Boulevard from two lanes to three in each direction to alleviate recurring congestion. The project includes improved drainage facilities, lighting, striping, and expanded shoulders, modified merge lanes, sound walls and bridgework. The project is expected to be complete by early 2026. This project is managed by El Paso County.

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 Contact 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!

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