Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of July 7, 2024

Travel Advisory

July 5, 2024 - Nighttime South Academy Boulevard closures under Interstate 25 planned for asphalt placement and striping

Colorado Springs —­­­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes under Interstate 25 and detour southbound I-25 using on- and off-ramps at South Academy Boulevard as part of the bridge reconstruction project. Asphalt paving of the approach to the bridge deck at South Academy Boulevard are planned during nighttime hours on Thursday, July 11 and Friday, July 12.

Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Thursday, July 11, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Friday, July 12, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Thursday, July 11, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Friday, July 12, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Re-route traffic on southbound I-25 using South Academy Boulevard ramps

  • Thursday, July 11, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Friday, July 12, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
Detour map for South Academy Boulevard closure and southbound I-25 reroute of traffic using South Academy Boulevard ramps
Detour map for South Academy Boulevard closure and southbound I-25 reroute of traffic using South Academy Boulevard ramps

Also, there will be alternating left and right lane closures on north- and southbound I-25 during nighttime hours on Monday, July 8 through Thursday, July 11 to allow crews to place final permanent lane striping and install asphalt shoulder safety edge.

  • Southbound I-25 at MP 128 to 132, Monday, July 8, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 at MP 127 to 130, Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Northbound I-25 at MP 127 to 130, Wednesday, July 10 and Thursday, July 11, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

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 — There will be alternating ramp and lane closures on westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek on Friday, July 12, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to move barriers and place pavement markings in preparation for a lane shift to the inside.

On Saturday, July 13, starting at 4:30 a.m., westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes will be shifted towards the center between I-25 and Fountain Creek to allow crews to work on the outside lanes and install drainage pipes. During this new alignment, Coventry Drive traffic intending to travel west on South Academy will be diverted: westbound traffic will enter northbound I-25, travel to South Circle Drive (MP 138), turn around and continue south to exit 135 to continue westbound South Academy. This detour will be in place for approximately 3 weeks.

Coventry Drive traffic intending to travel west on South Academy diverted.
Coventry Drive traffic intending to travel west on South Academy diverted.

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 alternating left and right lane closures at MP 128 to 132, Monday, July 8, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 alternating left and right lane closures at MP 127 to 130, Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Northbound I-25 alternating left and right lane closures at MP 127 to 130, Wednesday, July 10 and Thursday, July 11, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • North- and southbound I-25 alternating left and right lane closures at MP 127 - 128, Monday, July 8 through Wednesday, July 10, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard temporary full closure under I-25
    • Thursday, July 11, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
    • Friday, July 12, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
  • Westbound South Academy Boulevard temporary full closure under I-25
    • Thursday, July 11, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
    • Friday, July 12, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
  • Re-route traffic on southbound I-25 using South Academy Boulevard ramps
    • Thursday, July 11, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
    • Friday, July 12, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Ongoing shift of eastbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek to middle until Spring 2025
  • Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard reduced to one alternating lane
    • Tuesday, July 9, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Various ramp and lane closures on westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek
    • Friday, July 12, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Shift of westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes between I-25 and Fountain Creek to middle until Spring 2025
    • Starting Saturday, July 13 at 4:30 a.m.
  • Southbound Coventry Drive to westbound South Academy traffic detour
    • Starting Saturday, July 14 at 4:30 a.m. (in place for approximately 3 weeks)
  • 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!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!