Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Update

News Release

June 18, 2024 - Colorado Students Get Hands-On Experience at I-25 Construction Site through Transportation Institute

Colorado Springs —­­­­ On Friday, June 13, the Colorado Department of Transportation, in partnership with prime contractor SEMA Construction, Inc., hosted middle school students for a tour of the Interstate 25 Rehabilitation project site. This opportunity was part of the Southern Colorado Institute of Transportation Technology's National Summer Transportation Institute program at Colorado State University Pueblo.

"Providing hands-on learning experiences like this construction site tour is crucial for sparking students' passion for transportation and STEM fields," said Shane Ferguson, CDOT regional transportation director. "We were thrilled to partner with the NSTI program and SEMA Construction to inspire the next generation of transportation leaders."

During the two-week NSTI program in June, students in 6th through 8th grades from public and private schools across Colorado learn about various transportation systems, career paths in the industry, relevant education requirements and meet professionals working in the state's transportation sector. The program, sponsored by CDOT with support from the Federal Highway Administration, aims to generate interest in transportation careers among secondary students.

At the I-25 project site, a component of the larger Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Project, students discussed the role of transportation infrastructure, received an overview of the rehabilitation work, met key project personnel and explored potential jobs in the industry.

“The Project Team did a great job to the highlight the scope of work items, types of construction equipment, the workforce needed along with the application of personal protective safety equipment used to construct these important large infrastructure projects. SEMA sees these events as opportunities to inspire the future workforce and leadership that is needed in the critically important construction and engineering industries and extends a thank you to the stakeholders' involvement with these students,” said Curt Scanlan, SEMA senior project manager.

Collage of images of students visit to project site
Collage of images of students visit to MAMSIP I-25 Rehab Project

The NSTI program offers a tuition-free opportunity for Colorado's middle schoolers to gain exposure to the vast array of careers within the transportation industry.

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!