Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of May 26, 2024

Travel Advisory

May 24, 2024 - No project work taking place over Memorial Weekend - All work will resume on Tuesday, May 28. Nighttime northbound Interstate 25 temporary closures planned on May 30, 31 & June 1 for roadway surface milling.

Colorado Springs —­­­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close northbound 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 to prepare for placement of new asphalt during nighttime hours on Thursday, May 30, Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public and for work crew efficiency.

Temporary right lane closure and NB off ramp full closure at Santa Fe Avenue (MP 128)

  • Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Full closure of I-25 from Santa Fe Avenue (MP 128) to Mesa Ridge Parkway (MP 135)

  • Friday, May 31 1, 6 p.m. to Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m.
  • Saturday, June 1, 7 p.m. to Sunday, June 2, 9 a.m.

A detour 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.

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 northbound I-25 closure from Santa Fe to Mesa Ridge Parkway
Detour map for northbound 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 northbound I-25 using on- and off-ramps at South Academy Boulevard as part of the bridge reconstruction project. Work on the abutment walls at South Academy Boulevard are planned during nighttime hours on Wednesday, May 29. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public.

Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Wednesday, May 29, 7 p.m. to Thursday, May 30, 4:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m. to Friday, May 31, 4:30 a.m. (contingency)

Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Wednesday, May 29, 6 p.m. to Thursday, May 30, 4:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, May 30, 6 p.m. to Friday, May 31, 4:30 a.m. (contingency)

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

  • Wednesday, May 29, 7 p.m. to Thursday, May 30, 4:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m. to Friday, May 31, 4:30 a.m. (contingency)

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
  • Northbound I-25 traffic will take the exit 135 off-ramp and re-enter the on-ramp to continue north.
Detour map for closure at South Academy Boulevard
Detour map for closure at South Academy Boulevard

On Tuesday, May 28, 6 p.m. to Wednesday, May 29, 6 a.m., there will be a nighttime northbound I-25 left lane closure at Santa Fe Avenue to remove barriers.

On Tuesday, May 28 through Friday, May 31, there will be a nighttime southbound I-25 right lane closure between Mesa Ridge Parkway and MP 131 to allow crews to trench and install utility conduit near the roadway.

  • Tuesday, May 28 through Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Friday, May 31, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.

On Wednesday, May 29 and Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m. to Friday, May 31, 6 a.m., there will be a nighttime southbound I-25 left lane closure at Santa Fe Avenue to remove barriers.

On Thursday, May 30, 6 p.m. to Friday, May 31, 6 a.m., there will be a nighttime northbound I-25 off-ramp closure and right lane closure at Santa Fe Avenue to allow crews to mill the roadway surface to prepare for placement of new asphalt. A detour will be in place: Traffic intending to exit at Santa Fe Avenue (MP 128) will continue north to Mesa Ridge Parkway (MP 132), exit and turn around to continue south to exit 128.

Detour map of northbound I-25 off-ramp closure
Detour map of northbound I-25 off-ramp closure

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

All lanes of eastbound South Academy Boulevard west of the northbound I-25 off-ramp will be temporarily closed starting on Friday, May 31 at 7 p.m. until Sunday, June 2 at 12 p.m. to allow crews to install drainage pipe under the roadway. A detour will be in place: eastbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will enter southbound I-25 to Mesa Ridge Parkway (exit 132A), turn around and travel north to exit 135 to rejoin eastbound South Academy Boulevard.

Detour map for closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard west of the northbound I-25 off-ramp
Detour map for closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard west of the northbound I-25 off-ramp

Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge will be reduced to one lane of alternating traffic Tuesday, May 28 through Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with flaggers and signage to assist travelers in navigation through construction to allow crews to continue work on the bridge. Expect minor delays.

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 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.
    • Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.
    • Saturday, June 1, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Full closures of westbound South Academy Boulevard at I-25. Use detour route.
    • Wednesday, May 29, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
    • Thursday, May 30, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. (contingency)
  • Full closures of eastbound South Academy Boulevard at I-25. Use detour route.
    • Wednesday, May 29, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
    • Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. (contingency)
  • Re-route traffic on northbound I-25 using South Academy Boulevard ramps.
    • Wednesday, May 29, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
    • Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. (contingency)
  • Northbound I-25 left lane closure at MP 128
    • Tuesday, May 28, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 right lane closure between MP 132 and MP 131
    • Tuesday, May 28 through Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 right lane closure between MP 132 and MP 131
    • Friday, May 31, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 left lane closure at MP 128
    • Wednesday, May 29 and Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Northbound I-25 off-ramp and right lane closure at MP 128. Use detour route.
    • Thursday, May 30, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Temporary full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard west of the northbound I-25 off-ramp. Use detour route.
    • Friday, May 31, 7 p.m. to Sunday, June 2, 12 p.m.
  • Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard reduced to alternating one lane traffic.
    • Tuesday, May 28 through Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • 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!

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