Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of March 24, 2024

Travel Advisory

March 22, 2024 - Southeastern Colorado - Nighttime South Academy Boulevard closures planned for bridge deck construction

Colorado Springs —­­The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes under Interstate 25 nightly on March 24 to 25, 2024 to install overhangs for the bridge over South Academy Boulevard as part of the MAMSIP bridge reconstruction project. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public.

Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Sunday, March 24 and Monday, March 25, 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Sunday, March 24 and Monday, March 25, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Detours will be in place:

  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted south on I-25 to Colorado Highway 16 (exit 132A), where they will turn around and re-enter I-25 north to South Academy Boulevard
  • Westbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted north on I-25 to Lake Avenue/South Circle Drive (exit 138), where they will turn around and re-enter I-25 south to South Academy Boulevard

The speed limit in this area has been reduced to 60 MPH. Traffic delays of 10-15 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 for South Academy Boulevard bridge work over I-25 project map for 032424
Detour for South Academy Boulevard bridge work over I-25 map for March 24, 2024

Drivers can anticipate southbound I-25 right lane closures Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29 between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe Avenue to allow crews to haul topsoil:

  • Monday, March 25 through Thursday, March 28, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Friday, March 29, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.

There will also be a southbound I-25 left lane closure on Wednesday, March 27, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. near Santa Fe Avenue, for barrier placement in median. This operation will not coincide with topsoil operations.

Drivers can also expect alternating left and right lane closures on northbound I-25 on Thursday, March 28, 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. near Santa Fe Avenue for roadway sawcutting operations to prepare for pipe installation.

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Due to weather impacts, the shift to a new temporary on-ramp for drivers traveling from US 85/87 to enter northbound South Academy Boulevard is now scheduled for Monday afternoon, March 18, 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 five to six months.

Shift to a new temporary on-ramp for drivers traveling from US 85 87 to enter northbound South Academy Boulevard map location
Shift to a new temporary on-ramp for drivers traveling from US 85 87 to enter northbound South Academy Boulevard map location

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. Work crews are installing signage and flashing beacons to alert traffic to the reduced merge lengths.

All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard have been 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)

  • Sunday, March 24 and Monday, March 25, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.: Full closures of westbound South Academy Boulevard at I-25. Use detour route.
  • Sunday, March 24 and Monday, March 25, March 29, 7 p.m. to  6:30 a.m.: Full closures of eastbound South Academy Boulevard at I-25. Use detour route.
  • Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Southbound I-25 right lane closure between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe Avenue
  • Wednesday, March 27, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.: Southbound I-25 left lane closure near Santa Fe
  • Thursday, March 28, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Northbound I-25 alternating left and right lane closures at Santa Fe Avenue

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Monday morning, March 25: Ongoing full closure of existing northbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramp from US 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp, in place for approximately five to six 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
  • Ongoing closure of the Fountain Creek Regional Trail under South Academy Boulevard

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!

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