Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of June 9, 2024

Travel Advisory

May 31, 2024 - Nighttime north- and southbound Interstate 25 temporary closures planned on June 10 to 14 for roadway surface milling, asphalt placement and striping

Colorado Springs —­­­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close north- and southbound Interstate 25 between Santa Fe Avenue and Mesa Ridge Parkway, as part of the MAMSIP project to improve the I-25 roadway with a new asphalt surface and lane striping. Crews will apply permanent lane striping to the roadway surface of northbound I-25, and mill the roadway and apply new asphalt paving to southbound I-25 during nighttime hours on Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public.

There will be alternating left and right lane closures on north- and southbound I-25 during nighttime hours on Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14 to allow crews to prepare for milling and paving operations.

  • Northbound I-25 at MP 128 to 132, Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14, 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Southbound I-25 at MP 128 to 132, Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14, 7 to 8 p.m.

Temporary full closures of southbound I-25

  • Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Detours 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).

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.

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

There will also be a temporary closure of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes under I-25 and a detour of southbound I-25 using on- and off-ramps at South Academy Boulevard as part of the bridge reconstruction project. Repairs to the bridge deck at South Academy Boulevard are planned during nighttime hours on Friday, June 14.

Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Friday, June 14, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Friday, June 14, 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

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

  • Friday, June 14, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
Detour route for full closure of South Academy Boulevard
Detour route for full closure of South Academy Boulevard

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

There will be north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard left lane closures over Bradley Road on Saturday, June 15, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to allow crews to mill the bridge road surface for new asphalt paving.

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.

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 temporary full closure between MP 128 and 132. Use detour route.
    • Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Northbound I-25 alternating left and right lane closures between MP 128 and 132
    • Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 alternating left and right lane closures between MP 128 and 132
    • Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14, 7 to 8 p.m.
  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard temporary full closure under I-25
    • Friday, June 14, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
  • Westbound South Academy Boulevard temporary full closure under I-25
    • Friday, June 14, 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
  • Re-route traffic on southbound I-25 using South Academy Boulevard ramps
    • Friday, June 14, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Saturday, June 15, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • North- and southbound South Academy Boulevard left lane closures over Bradley Road
  • 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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