Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program - Week of Jan. 22

Travel Advisory

January 19, 2023 - Southeastern Colorado - Interstate 25 and South Academy Boulevard closures for bridge demolition, nighttime barrier shifts and lane striping

Colorado Springs —­­ Due to weather impacts, the Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor SEMA Construction have rescheduled the temporary detour of I-25 over South Academy Boulevard as part of the Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Project (MAMSIP) I-25 bridge demolition. Bridge demolition work is expected to start again beginning Saturday morning, Jan. 21 through Sunday morning, Jan. 22. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public.

  • Detour of southbound lanes on I-25 over South Academy Boulevard
    • Southbound I-25 traffic will make use of the I-25 off- and on-ramps to avoid the demolition work and to continue on I-25
  • Full closure of South Academy Boulevard under I-25
    • Saturday, Jan. 21, 7 a.m. until Sunday, Jan. 22, at 7 a.m.

Full Closure of I-25 over South Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs

Detours will be in place

  • Southbound I-25 traffic will take exit 135 off-ramp and re-enter the on-ramp to continue south.
  • 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 Boulevard
  • Westbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted north on I-25 to Lake Avenue/South Circle Drive (exit 138), where they will turn around and re-enter I-25 south to South Academy Boulevard
  • Possible traffic slowdowns. Expect delays
  • Plan additional time to travel through the area

In addition, there will be nighttime left lane closures Sunday through Thursday on northbound I-25 to shift barriers to the median to prepare for the upcoming northbound traffic switch from Santa Fe to CO 16.

There will also be mobile lane closures, and left lane closures as needed, Wednesday night, on southbound I-25 between MP 127-135 to paint new lane striping where needed to improve stripe visibility.
Traffic on I-25 will be separated by temporary barrier with 11 ft. lanes and 2 ft. shoulders.

The right lane closure eastbound on Colorado Highway 94 is still in place for this week as construction crews perform electrical work on lighting. A full closure is still in place at CO 94 and North Blaney Road.

Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

Bridge demolition work on I-25 at South Academy Boulevard (Mile Point 135)

  • Saturday, Jan. 21, 7 a.m. to Sunday, Jan. 22, 7 a.m.
    • Full closure of South Academy Boulevard under I-25
    • Detour of southbound I-25 at S. Academy Blvd. I-25 off and on Ramps will be utilized at that location to continue traveling south on I-25

I-25 between MP 127 and 135

  • Sunday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m. – 9 a.m., northbound I-25 left lane closure between MP 127-132
  • Monday, Jan. 23 to Wed., Jan. 25, 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. nightly, northbound I-25 left lane closure between MP 127-132
  • Wednesday Jan 25, 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. southbound I-25 mobile and left lane closures to refresh striping.
  • Thursday, Jan. 26, 6 p.m. - 6 a.m., northbound I-25 left lane closure between MP 134-136

Colorado Highway 94

  • Single lane closure eastbound CO 94, Sunday, Jan. 22 through Saturday Jan. 28, for lighting work
  • 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
  • South Blaney Road has been re-opened. Use caution accessing from the one open CO 94 eastbound lane as the climbing lane/turn lane is still closed
  • 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!