Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of July 30

Travel Advisory

July 28, 2023 - Southeastern Colorado - Northbound I-25 ramp closures rescheduled

Colorado Springs —­­ Construction on I-25 between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue will require overnight ramp closures on Friday, August 4 beginning at 7 p.m. for restriping ramps. The northbound I-25 on- and off-ramps at CO 16 (mile 132) will be closed to allow crews to move safety devices and paint new lane striping to accommodate a shift in ramp traffic. Both lanes will reopen at 9 a.m. Saturday, August 5.

Detours will be in place:

  • Traffic exiting I-25 will continue north to exit 135, turn west onto South Academy Boulevard., re-enter I-25 southbound and travel to exit 132A or 132B
  • Traffic entering I-25 will proceed west on Mesa Ridge Parkway – use southbound on-ramp, travel south to Exit 128, turn east onto Santa Fe Avenue, and re-enter I-25 northbound
Detour map for northbound I-25 ramp closures
Detour map for northbound I-25 ramp closures

Southbound I-25 right lane mobile closures, at various locations, are also scheduled for Tuesday, August 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. while crews address safety devices and drainage items. Plan for minor delays.

Drivers can also anticipate mobile northbound and southbound I-25 closures overnight on Monday, July 31 beginning at 6 p.m. between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue to install speed limit signs and clean traffic devices. All lanes will reopen at 6 a.m. Tuesday. The speed limit will be increased to 60 MPH on northbound I-25 starting at mile 129 and southbound I-25 starting at mile 134.

These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.

Traffic on I-25 will be head-to-head, 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 will be increased to 60 MPH on northbound I-25 starting at mile 129 and on southbound I-25 starting at mile 134. Other project limits, the speed limit will remain at 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.

Traffic Impacts

I-25 between U.S. 85/Fountain (mile 127) and South Academy Boulevard (mile 135)
Daytime closures:

  • Tuesday, August 1, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., various southbound I-25 right lane mobile closures between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue

Nighttime closures:

  • Monday, July 31, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., southbound I-25 mobile closures between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue
  • Monday, July 31, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., northbound I-25 mobile closures between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue
  • Tuesday, August 1, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., southbound I-25 mobile closures between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue (contingency)
  • Tuesday, August 1, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., northbound I-25 mobile closures between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue (contingency)
  • Friday, August 4, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., CO 16 northbound on- and off-ramp closures at I-25 (mile 132). Use detour routes

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

Colorado Highway 94

  • Safety and efficiency improvements with the addition of passing lanes, turn lanes, road widening and the installation of fiber on CO 94, which connects Schriever Space Force Base with Peterson Space Force Base and central Colorado Springs.

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!

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!