Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of July 21, 2024

Travel Advisory

July 19, 2024 - Nighttime Interstate 25 ramp and lane closures planned for striping

Colorado Springs —­­­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close the southbound Interstate 25 off-ramp, to Fort Carson Gate 20, Exit 132B at Mesa Ridge Parkway on Monday, July 22, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. to allow crews to install gore striping. This closure is necessary for the safety of the traveling public.

There will also be a series of nighttime alternating left and right lane closures on north- and southbound I-25 between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue (Mile Post 128 to 135) next week to allow crews to install lane striping:

  • Northbound I-25 alternating lane closures at Santa Fe Avenue, Tuesday, July 23 through Wednesday, July 24, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 alternating lane closures at Santa Fe Avenue, Tuesday, July 23 and Wednesday, July 24, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 alternating lane closures between Mile Points 131 and 129, Monday, July 22, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • I-25 alternating lane closures between South Academy Boulevard and Mesa Ridge Parkway
    • Northbound I-25, Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
    • Southbound I-25, Thursday, July 25, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • I-25 alternating lane closures between Mile Point 133 and Santa Fe Avenue
    • Northbound I-25, Friday, July 26, 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.
    • Southbound I-25, Friday, July 26, 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
  • There will be a southbound I-25 left lane closure at South Academy Boulevard on Monday, July 22, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for crews to reset safety barriers.
  • There will be a southbound I-25 left lane closure at South Academy Boulevard on Monday, July 22, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for crews to reset safety barriers.

The east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes under I-25 will be temporarily closed as part of the bridge reconstruction project. Removal of bridge overhang structures over South Academy Boulevard are planned during nighttime hours on Monday, July 22 through Thursday, July 25, and Friday, July 26 as a contingency night.

Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Monday, July 22 through Thursday, July 25, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Friday, July 26, 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. (contingency)

Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Monday, July 22 through Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Friday, July 26, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. (contingency)

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
Detour map of closure at South Academy Boulevard under I-25
Detour map of closure of South Academy Boulevard under I-25

The speed limit in this area has been reduced to 60 MPH. Traffic delays of 10 to 15 minutes are expected and motorists are urged to use extra caution while traveling in the area. Fines will be doubled through the construction zone.

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Colorado Springs — A temporary closure of the on-ramp from Hartford Street to northbound South Academy Boulevard is ongoing and will last approximately 4 weeks. Following that, there will also be a temporary closure of the South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to southbound Harford Street starting Wednesday, July 24 at 8 a.m. These closures are 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.

Detours will be in place:

  • Traffic intending to enter northbound South Academy Boulevard will continue north to Welton Drive, travel east to Maxwell Street and turn north to East Las Vegas Street (CanAm Highway), and travel southeast to enter South Academy.
  • 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 Hartford on- and off-ramp closures
Detour map for Hartford on- and off-ramp closures

In case of weather impacts, the closure of Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge planned for Friday, July 19 will also have a contingency scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to pour a new concrete roadway deck on the bridge. There will also be north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard left lane closures over Bradley Road to ensure safe conditions for the traveling public and for crews working below.

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 then west onto Milton Proby Parkway, turn south and travel to the Bradley Road exit, or turn north to continue on northbound South Academy.
Detour map for closure of Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard Bridge
Detour map for closure of Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard Bridge

A South Academy Boulevard lane shift to the center is ongoing between Bradley Road and Milton Proby Parkway to allow crews to perform drainage and roadway work. This new alignment will be in place for approximately three months.

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 for approximately three weeks.

A shift of eastbound 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)

  • Southbound I-25 off-ramp closure at Exit 132B, Monday, July 22, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Northbound I-25 alternating lane closures at Santa Fe Avenue, Tuesday, July 23 through Wednesday, July 24, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 alternating lane closures at Santa Fe Avenue, Tuesday, July 23 and Wednesday, July 24, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 alternating lane closures between MP 131 and 129, Monday, July 22, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • I-25 alternating lane closures between MP 135 and 132
    • Northbound I-25, Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
    • Southbound I-25, Thursday, July 25, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • I-25 alternating lane closures between Mile Point 133 and 128
    • Northbound I-25, Friday, July 26, 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.
    • Southbound I-25, Friday, July 26, 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 left lane closure at MP 135, Monday, July 22, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25
    • Monday, July 22 through Thursday, July 25, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
    • Friday, July 26, 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. (contingency)
  • Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25
    • Monday, July 22 through Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
    • Friday, July 26, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. (contingency)

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Ongoing shift of eastbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek to middle until Spring 2025
  • Ongoing temporary full closure of Hartford Street on-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard. Use detour route.
    • Tuesday, July 16, starting 4:30 a.m. (in place for approximately four weeks)
  • Temporary full closure of South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to southbound Hartford Street. Use detour route.
    • Wednesday, July 24, starting 8 a.m. (in place for approximately four weeks)
  • Shift of westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes between I-25 and Fountain Creek to middle until Spring 2025
  • Ongoing Southbound Coventry Drive detour to westbound South Academy (in place for approximately three weeks)
  • Full closure of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard (contingency)
  • North- and southbound South Academy left lane closures over Bradley Road (contingency)
    • Wednesday, July 24, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Full closure of existing southbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramp from US 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp, in place until Fall 2024
  • Ongoing full closure of existing northbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramp 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 (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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