Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of June 23, 2024

Travel Advisory

June 21, 2024 - Southbound Interstate 25 temporary full closure planned for traffic switch

Colorado Springs —­­­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close southbound Interstate 25 between South Academy Boulevard and Mesa Ridge Parkway, as part of a traffic switch to a new lane alignment on the MAMSIP project. This southbound 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 23. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public. There will also be northbound on- and off-ramp closures and alternating lane closures on northbound I-25 at Santa Fe Avenue to continue asphalt paving.

Work on southbound I-25 includes:

Temporary full closures of southbound I-25 on Monday, June 24 through Wednesday, June 26, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. between Mile Point 135 to 132 for barrier removal and permanent striping needed for the traffic switch.

A detour will be in place:

  • Southbound I-25 traffic will exit at South Academy Boulevard (exit 135), travel east to the CanAm Highway (US 85/87), turn south and continue to Mesa Ridge Parkway, and turn west to re-enter I-25 at Mile Point 132.

Southbound I-25 left lane closures are planned for Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 28, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Mile Points 133 to 129 for crews to apply final pavement markings.

Detour map for southbound I-25 closure from Academy to Mesa Ridge Parkway
Detour map for southbound I-25 closure from Academy to Mesa Ridge Parkway

Work on northbound I-25 includes:

Temporary on- and off-ramp closures at Santa Fe Avenue along with alternating left and right lane closures on northbound I-25 at Mile Point 128 during nighttime hours on Monday, June 24, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. have been scheduled as a contingency to continue paving operations.

Detours will be in place:

  • Traffic intending to exit at Santa Fe Avenue will continue north to Mesa Ridge Parkway (exit 132), turn around and travel south to exit 128
  • Northbound traffic will travel north on Santa Fe Avenue, continue north on US 85/87, turn west onto South Academy Boulevard, and re-enter I-25 North

The I-25 project 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.

Detour map for northbound I-25 ramp closures at mile point 128
Detour map for northbound I-25 ramp closures at mile point 128

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

A shift of northbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek towards the center ongoing 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.

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

Northbound South Academy Boulevard will be temporarily closed between US 85/87 and Bradley Road on Friday, June 28 at 7 p.m. until Saturday, June 29 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 30 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 Hancock Expressway, travel north and turn left onto Milton E. Proby Parkway, and travel west to northbound South Academy Boulevard.
Detour map for northbound South Academy Boulevard closure at US 85/87 and Bradley Road
Detour map for northbound South Academy Boulevard closure at US 85/87 and Bradley Road

The northbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to Bradley Road will be temporarily closed on Thursday, June 27, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to install drainage pipes across the roadway.

A detour will be in place:

  • Northbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will continue north to Milton E. Proby Parkway, turn east and travel to Hancock Expressway, turn south and continue to Bradley Road.
Detour map for northbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp closure to Bradley Road
Detour map for northbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp closure to Bradley Road

Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge will be reduced to one alternating lane of traffic controlled by flaggers on Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to allow crews to perform work on the bridge.

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 temporary full closures between MP 135 to 132. Use detour route.
    • Monday, June 24 through Wednesday, June 26, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Northbound I-25 alternating left and right lane closures at MP 128 (contingency)
    • Monday, June 24, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Northbound I-25 on- and off-ramp closures at Santa Fe Avenue (contingency)
    • Monday, June 24, 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. Use detour route.
  • Southbound I-25 left lane closures between MP 133 to 129
    • Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 28, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Ongoing shift of northbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek to middle until Spring 2025
  • Northbound South Academy Boulevard temporary full closure between US 85/87 and Bradley Road. Use detour route.
    • Friday, June 28, 7 p.m. through Saturday, June 29, 5 p.m.
    • Saturday, June 29, 5 p.m. through Sunday, June 30, 5 p.m. (contingency)
  • Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard reduced to one alternating lane
    • Friday, June 28, 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 29, 8 a.m. to 4 p.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
    Starts Wednesday, June 26, 7 a.m.
  • 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!

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