Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of June 16, 2024

Travel Advisory

June 14, 2024 - Interstate 25 temporary full closure planned for traffic switch

Colorado Springs —­­­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close Interstate 25 between Santa Fe Avenue and Mesa Ridge Parkway, I-25 on- and off- ramp closures at Santa Fe, and alternating lane closures on I-25, as part of a traffic switch for a new lane alignment on the MAMSIP project. This traffic switch will be performed in multiple phases over several nights. Crews will shift barriers, continue paving operations, and apply permanent striping to the roadway surface the week of June 16. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public.

Full Closure of I-25 on Thursday, June 20, between Mile Point 128 to 132 for paving and striping. Southbound I-25, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and northbound I-25, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Detours will be in place:

  • Northbound I-25 traffic will exit at Santa Fe Avenue, turn north onto the CanAm Highway (US 85/87), travel to Mesa Ridge Parkway, turn west and re-enter I-25.
  • Southbound I-25 traffic will exit at Mesa Ridge Parkway (exit 132A), travel to the CanAm Highway (US 85/87), turn south and continue to Santa Fe Avenue to re-enter I-25 (MP 128).

Detour map for I-25 closure from Santa Fe to Mesa Ridge Parkway
Detour map for I-25 closure from Santa Fe to Mesa Ridge Parkway

Work on Southbound I-25 includes:

Southbound I-25 left shoulder mobile closures are planned for Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Mile Points 133 to 129 for crews to apply permanent striping.

Alternating left and right lane closures on southbound I-25 during nighttime hours on Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. near Santa Fe Avenue between Mile Points 129 to 127 for paving operations.

Southbound I-25 on- and off-ramps at Santa Fe Avenue will be closed during nighttime hours on Tuesday, June 18, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. to allow crews to apply new pavement. Detours will be in place.

  • Traffic intending to exit at Santa Fe Avenue will continue south to Pikes Peak International Raceway (Mile Point 122), turn around and travel north to exit 128.
  • Traffic intending to enter I-25 will take the CanAm Highway (US 85/87) to Mesa Ridge Parkway, and enter I-25 South.
Interstate 25 southbound ramp closures (Mile Point 128) detour map
Detour map of southbound I-25 ramps at Santa Fe

Temporary full closures of southbound I-25:

  • Wednesday, June 19, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Friday, June 21, 9 p.m. to 10 a.m.

A detour will be in place:

  • Southbound I-25 traffic will exit at Mesa Ridge Parkway (exit 132A), travel to the CanAm Highway (US 85/87), turn south and continue to Santa Fe Avenue to re-enter I-25 (MP 128).
Detour map - southbound I-25 closure between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe
Detour map - southbound I-25 closure between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe

Work on northbound I-25 includes:

Alternating left and right lane closures on northbound I-25 during nighttime hours on Wednesday, June 19, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. near Santa Fe Avenue between Mile Points 127 to 129 to continue paving operations.

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

There will be eastbound South Academy Boulevard alternating left and right lane closures and mobile lane closures near Hartford Street Wednesday night, June 19, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to shift traffic to the newly constructed inside lanes. Motorists are advised that the northbound I-25 off-ramp to eastbound South Academy Boulevard will be shifted to a new alignment and will have a short acceleration lane as of June 20.

Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge will be closed Wednesday, June 19, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to pour a new concrete roadway deck on the bridge. Also, there will 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.
Map of Northbound South Academy Boulevard closure at US 85/87
Northbound South Academy Boulevard closure at US 85/87

Eastbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek will be shifted north and reduced to two lanes starting on Thursday, June 20 at 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to work on the outside lanes, install drainage pipes, and prepare to construct a noise barrier. This new alignment will be in place approximately until Spring 2025.

Northbound South Academy Boulevard will be temporarily closed between US 85/87 and Bradley Road on Friday, June 21 at 7 p.m. until Saturday, June 22 at 5 p.m. to allow crews to install drainage pipes across the roadway. If needed, a contingency day has been scheduled through Sunday, June 23 at 5 p.m.

A detour will be in place:

  • Northbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit to US 85/87, travel south and turn left onto Fontaine Boulevard, travel east and turn left onto Grinnell Boulevard, travel north and turn left onto Bradley Road, travel west and turn right onto the on-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard.

A shift to a temporary on-ramp for drivers entering northbound South Academy Boulevard from US 85/87 is ongoing as crews will perform work on roadway, drainage and utilities in the area. The ramp lane width will be reduced to 12 feet and speeds will be reduced to 30 MPH. This closure will be in effect approximately until Fall 2024.

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.

A left lane closure is ongoing for northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road to allow crews to perform bridge work.

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 between MP 129 to 127
    • Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 on- and off-ramp closures at Santa Fe Avenue
    • Tuesday, June 18, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Use detour route.
  • Southbound I-25 left shoulder mobile closures between MP 133 to 129
    • Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Northbound I-25 alternating left and right lane closures between MP 127 to 129
    • Wednesday, June 19, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Full closure of I-25 between MP 128 to 132
    • Thursday, June 20 - southbound I-25, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and northbound I-25, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 temporary full closures between MP 132 to 128. Use detour route.
    • Wednesday, June 19, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
    • Friday, June 21, 9 p.m. to 10 a.m.

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard alternating left and right lane closures and mobile lane closures near Hartford Street
    • Wednesday, June 19, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Bradley Road temporary full closure under the South Academy Boulevard bridge
    • Wednesday, June 19, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek shifted north and reduced to two lanes
    • Thursday, June 20 starting at 4:30 a.m. until Spring 2025
  • Northbound South Academy Boulevard temporary full closure between US 85/87 and Bradley Road. Use detour route.
    • Friday, June 21, 7 p.m. through Saturday, June 22, 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 22, 5 p.m. through Sunday, June 23, 5 p.m. (contingency)
  • Ongoing full closure of existing northbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramp from US 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp, in place for approx. 5 to 6 months
  • Ongoing northbound and southbound left lane closure at South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road
  • 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!

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