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

Travel Advisory

September 15, 2023 - Southeastern Colorado - Nighttime I-25 ramp closure planned for traffic switch

Colorado Springs —­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close the northbound I-25 off-ramp at Mesa Ridge Parkway on Friday, Sept. 22 beginning at 7 p.m. for a traffic switch. The northbound off-ramp at CO 16 (mile 132) and the northbound I-25 right lane between mile points 130 through 132 will be closed to allow crews to move safety devices and paint new lane striping to accommodate a lane shift in ramp traffic. All lanes will re-open at 9 a.m. Saturday, September 23.

Detours will be in place:

  • Traffic exiting I-25 will continue north to exit 135, turn west onto S. Academy Blvd., re-enter I-25 southbound and travel to exit 132A or 132B
Northbound I-25 Exit 132 detour map
Northbound I-25 Exit 132 detour map

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Drivers can anticipate an ongoing left lane closure on 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 5 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.

There will be a full closure of Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge on Tuesday night, September 19, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., to remove striping and place concrete barrier. Afterwards, all lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard will be shifted to the north side of the roadway ongoing to allow crews to perform drilling for new caisson construction.

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 Mesa Ridge Parkway

  • Friday, September 22, 7 p.m. to Saturday, September 23, 9 a.m.
    • Full closure of northbound I-25 off-ramp (mile point 132)
    • I-25 right lane closure between mile points 130 and 132

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Ongoing northbound and southbound left lane closure at South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road, in place for approx. 5 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
  • Tuesday, September 19, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., full closure of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard bridge
  • Starting September 20 at 4:30 a.m., ongoing shift of all lanes on Bradley Road to north side of roadway under South Academy Boulevard 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!

Download the COtrip App!

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