Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of September 24

Travel Advisory

September 22, 2023 - Southeastern Colorado - Nighttime I-25 off-ramp closure planned for paving

Colorado Springs —­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close the northbound I-25 off-ramp at South Academy Boulevard (mile 135) nightly on Friday and Saturday, September 29 and 30, beginning at 8 p.m. for concrete roadway paving. All lanes will reopen at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 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.
I-25 South Academy Boulevard off-ramp closure detour map
I-25 South Academy Boulevard off-ramp closure detour map

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Beginning next week, the Fountain Creek Regional Trail will be closed under South Academy Boulevard for approximately five months (March 2024) for drainage work. Detours will be in place: cyclists and pedestrians can either travel west to cross South Academy Boulevard on the pedestrian bridge, or use Wilshire Drive and Welton Drive to cross over on Hartford Street.

Fountain Creek Regional Trail detour
Fountain Creek Regional Trail detour

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 five 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.

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.

Traffic Impacts

Night work on northbound I-25 at South Academy Boulevard

  • Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30, 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.
    • Full closure of northbound I-25 off-ramp (mile point 135)

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • 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 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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