Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of September 10

Travel Advisory

September 8, 2023 - Southeastern Colorado - Nighttime South Academy Boulevard closures planned for bridge demolition

Colorado Springs —­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes under I-25 and detour northbound I-25 using on- and off-ramps at South Academy Boulevard as part of the MAMSIP bridge reconstruction project. I-25 bridge demolition work over South Academy Boulevard is planned to begin Friday night, September 8 through Monday morning, September 11. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public.

  • Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard
    • Friday, September 8, 8 p.m. through Monday, September 11, 6:30 a.m.
  • Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard
    • Friday, September 8, 7 p.m. through Monday, September 11, 4:30 a.m.
  • Re-route traffic on northbound I-25 using South Academy Boulevard ramps
    • Friday, September 8, 8 p.m. through Monday, September 11, 5:00 a.m.
Southbound and northbound I-25 detour map using on- and off-ramps
Southbound and northbound I-25 detour maps using on- and off-ramps

Detours will be in place:

  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted south on I-25 to CO16 (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
  • Northbound I-25 traffic will take exit 135 off-ramp and re-enter the on-ramp to continue north

Also, there will be a northbound I-25 off-ramp closure at South Academy Boulevard nightly on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 13 and Sept. 14, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for roadway milling. Detours will be in place:

  • Traffic intending to exit at South Academy Boulevard will continue north to Lake Avenue/South Circle Drive (mile 138), where they will turn around and re-enter I-25 south to South Academy Boulevard
Ramp closure detour map
Ramp closure detour

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Drivers can now anticipate a nightly left lane and middle lane closure on northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road Saturday through Friday, September 9 – 15, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., for setting barrier and striping. Drivers can expect a change in alignment after this work is completed.

Beginning at 4:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 12 there will be left lane closure on northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road starting. This left lane closure will be in place for approximately 5 months.

There will be a right turn lane closure on the northwest quadrant of the roundabout accessing the South Academy Boulevard bridge on Monday, September 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for surveying.

The following closures will take place on northbound South Academy Boulevard between Hartford Street and Fountain Creek:

  • Nighttime left and middle lane closures, Sunday, September 10, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Auxiliary lane closure, Monday, starting September 10 at 4:30 a.m. ongoing through mid-December
  • Also, Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge will now be closed nightly Tuesday, September 12 through Friday, September 15, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., for demolition of bridge overhang structures. This closure is necessary for the safety of the traveling public. Detours will be in place:
    • Eastbound Bradley Road traffic will be diverted south on South Academy Boulevard, exit onto the CanAm Highway, turn around and re-enter South Academy northbound to the Bradley Road exit, and turn east
    • Westbound Bradley Road traffic will be diverted to Hancock Expressway, turn north, and turn west onto Milton Proby Parkway, turn south and travel to the Bradley Road exit, or turn north to continue on northbound South Academy

These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.

Detour route for Bradley Road closure
Detour route for Bradley Road closure

Traffic Impacts

Night work on northbound I-25 at South Academy Boulevard for bridge demolition (milepost 135)

  • Friday, September 8, 8 p.m. to Monday, September 11, 6:30 a.m.
    • Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard
  • Friday, September 8, 7 p.m. to Monday, September 11, 4:30 a.m.
    • Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard
  • Friday, September 8, 8 p.m. to Monday, September 11, 5:00 a.m.
    • Re-route traffic on northbound I-25 using South Academy Boulevard exit 135 off-ramp and re-enter the on-ramp to continue north

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Saturday, September 9 through Friday, September 15, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. nightly, southbound, and northbound left lane and middle lane closure at South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road
  • Sunday, September 10 at 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 Monday Morning northbound auxiliary lane closure on South Academy Boulevard between Hartford Street and Fountain Creek. This auxiliary lane will be closed through mid-December.
  • Tuesday, September 12 through Friday, September 15, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., full closure of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard bridge
  • Monday, September 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., right turn lane closure on northwest quadrant of Bradley Road roundabout east of South Academy bridge

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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