Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of August 25, 2024

Travel Advisory

August 23, 2024 - Nighttime South Academy Boulevard closures under Interstate 25 continue for bridge deck overlay

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 bridge reconstruction project. Application of a polyester overlay and other remaining work on the bridge deck at South Academy Boulevard is planned during nighttime hours on Monday, August 26 through Thursday, Aug. 29.

Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Monday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Monday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 29, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Re-route traffic on northbound I-25 using South Academy Boulevard ramp

  • Monday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Detours will be in place:

  • 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
  • Northbound I-25 traffic will take the exit 135 off-ramp and re-enter the on-ramp to continue.
Detour map for full closure of South Academy Boulevard at I-25
Detour map for full closure of South Academy Boulevard at I-25.

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Colorado Springs — A temporary closure of the South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to southbound Hartford Street is ongoing and will tentatively end in mid-September. This closure is necessary to allow crews to install drainage pipes across the road and reconstruct the Hartford on and off ramps. Full closures decrease the duration of traffic impacts and increase safety for the traveling public and crews.

A detour will be in place:

  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard exiting to Hartford Street will continue east to US 85/87, turn around and travel west to Coventry Drive, travel north to Welton Drive, turn west and travel to southbound Hartford Street.
Detour map for closure at South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to southbound Hartford Street
Detour map of closure of the South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to southbound Hartford Street

Overnight alternating lane closures on northbound South Academy Boulevard between Fountain Creek and Bradley Road are planned for Sunday, Aug. 25 through Thursday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to perform bridge deck repairs.

A northbound South Academy Boulevard lane shift between Milton Proby Parkway and Fountain Creek to the outside is ongoing to allow crews to perform drainage and median work. The new alignment will be in place for approximately one month.

The northbound South Academy Boulevard second left turn lane onto northbound I-25 will be tentatively closed on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow crews to set up a detour in the area.

A diversion of Coventry Drive traffic intending to travel west on South Academy is ongoing: westbound traffic will enter northbound I-25, travel to South Circle Drive (Mile Point 138), turn around and continue south to exit 135 to continue westbound South Academy. This detour will be in place until mid-September.

A shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek towards the center is ongoing to allow crews to work on the outside lanes, install drainage pipes, and prepare to construct a noise barrier. This alignment will be in place approximately until spring 2025.

Motorists are also advised that the shift of the northbound I-25 off-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard to a new alignment is ongoing and will have a short acceleration lane.

Motorists are advised to use caution at all entrance ramps as merge lengths have been shortened. In particular, motorists should be prepared to stop on the US 85/87 on-ramp to eastbound South Academy and the Bradley Road on-ramp to eastbound South Academy since merge area is greatly reduced.

All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard are shifted to the center of the roadway ongoing to allow crews to perform work on new bridge piers.

These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

I-25 between US 85/Fountain (MP 127) and South Academy Boulevard (MP 135) 

  • Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25
    • Monday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25
    • Monday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 29, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Re-route traffic on northbound I-25 using South Academy Boulevard ramps
    • Monday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Ongoing temporary full closure of South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to southbound Hartford Street in place until mid-September. Use detour route
  • Overnight alternating lane closures on northbound of South Academy Boulevard between Fountain Creek and Bradley Road on Sunday, Aug. 25 through Thursday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Ongoing shift of northbound South Academy Boulevard between Milton Proby Parkway and Fountain Creek in place for approximately one month
  • Tentative northbound South Academy Boulevard second left turn lane closure onto northbound I-25 on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Ongoing shift of north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek to middle until spring 2025
  • Ongoing Southbound Coventry Drive detour to westbound South Academy (in place for approximately one month)
  • Ongoing full closure of existing north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramps from US 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp, in place until fall 2024
  • Ongoing shift of all lanes on Bradley Road 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 (US 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 US 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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