Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of June 2, 2024

Travel Advisory

May 31, 2024 - Nighttime north- and southbound Interstate 25 temporary closures planned on June 3 to 7 for roadway surface milling and asphalt placement

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. Crews will mill the roadway surface of northbound I-25 from Mile Point 127.75 to MP 128.34 on Monday night, June 3, and place new asphalt during nighttime hours on Tuesday, June 4 through Friday, June 7. Also, crews will mill the roadway surface of southbound I-25 from MP 128.34 to MP 127.75 to prepare for placement of new asphalt during nighttime hours on Tuesday, June 4 through Friday, June 7. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public.

Temporary full closures of northbound I-25

  • Monday, June 3 through Thursday, June 6, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Friday, June 7, 8 p.m. to 10 a.m.

Temporary full closures of southbound I-25:

  • Tuesday, June 4 through Thursday, June 6, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Friday, June 7, 8 p.m. to 10 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).

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.

On Monday, June 3, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., there will be a nighttime northbound I-25 right lane closure at South Academy Boulevard for work on the bridge abutment walls.

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

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Northbound South Academy Boulevard will be temporarily closed between US 85/87 and Bradley Road on Friday, June 7 at 7 p.m. until Monday, June 10 at 6 a.m. to allow crews to install drainage pipes across the roadway. 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.

Detour map for closure of South Academy Boulevard.
Detour map for closure of 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.

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)

  • Northbound I-25 temporary full closure between Santa Fe Avenue and Mesa Ridge Parkway. Use detour route.
    • Monday, June 3 through Thursday, June 6, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
    • Friday, June 7, 8 p.m. to 10 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 temporary full closure between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe Avenue. Use detour route.
    • Tuesday, June 4 through Thursday, June 6, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
    • Friday, June 7, 8 p.m. to 10 a.m.
  • Northbound I-25 right lane closure at MP 135
    • Monday, June 3, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Friday, June 7, 7 p.m. to Sunday, June 10, 6 a.m.
    • Temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Bradley Road. Use detour route.
  • 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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