Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of Dec. 1, 2024

Travel Advisory

Nov. 27, 2024 - Nighttime southbound Interstate 25 temporary full closure planned at Mesa Ridge Parkway to finish roadway work

Colorado Springs —­­­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close southbound Interstate 25 at Mesa Ridge Parkway on Wednesday, Dec. 4 as crews complete work on the MAMSIP I-25 Safety and Efficiency Improvements project. Crews will repair bridge joints and replace concrete pavement panels. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public and work crews.

Temporary full closure of southbound I-25 between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe Avenue:

  • Wednesday, Dec. 4, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • A detour 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).
Detour map for closure of southbound I-25 between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe Avenue
Detour map for closure of southbound I-25 between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe Avenue

Other work along I-25 includes:

There will be north- and southbound I-25 alternating lane closures at South Academy Boulevard on Tuesday, Dec. 3 and Wednesday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform concrete profiling work.

There will be northbound and southbound I-25 alternating lane closures at Mile Point 127.5 near Santa Fe Avenue on Tuesday, Dec 3 and Wednesday, Dec. 4 to grind down pavement at project approach.

There will be a southbound I-25 right lane closure between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe Avenue on Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for work on pavement markings.

A series of nighttime northbound I-25 left lane closures planned for the week of Dec. 1 to allow crews to remove temporary safety barriers from project

  • Monday, Dec. 2 to Friday, Dec. 6, northbound left lane closures, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3 to Wednesday, Dec. 4, north- and southbound alternating lane closures at South Academy Boulevard, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Wednesday Dec. 4, southbound full closure MP 132 - 128, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., northbound left lane closures, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.,
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3 to Wednesday, Dec. 4, north- and southbound alternating lane closures at South Academy Boulevard
  • Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., alternating north- and southbound I-25 lane closures between Mesa Ridge Parkway and South Academy Boulevard.

There will be alternating lane closures with flaggers on Bandley Drive approximately one mile north of Santa Fe Avenue on Monday, Dec. 2 and Tuesday, Dec. 3 to allow crews to repair potholes from utility work.

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Colorado Springs — A temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between U.S. 85/87 and Milton Proby Parkway is planned for Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for a traffic switch to a new lane alignment. 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 Hancock Expressway, travel north and turn left onto Milton Proby Parkway, and travel west to northbound South Academy Boulevard.
Detour for closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US 8587 and Milton Proby Parkway
Detour for closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US 8587 and Milton Proby Parkway

There will be a northbound I-25 on-ramp closure from eastbound South Academy Boulevard starting Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. to allow crews to install drainage pipes across the roadway. A detour will be in place:

  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard traffic entering northbound I-25 will continue east and exit at U.S. 85/87, turn around and travel west on South Academy Boulevard, and enter I-25.
Detour map for northbound I-25 on-ramp closure from eastbound South Academy Boulevard
Detour map for northbound I-25 on-ramp closure from eastbound South Academy Boulevard

The northbound I-25 off-ramp lanes at South Academy Boulevard shifted onto new temporary alignment are ongoing to allow crews to install utilities and drainage across the roadway. This new alignment is scheduled to be in place until Dec. 14.

A shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek towards the center is ongoing to allow crews to work on the outside lanes, install drainage pipes, and prepare to construct a noise barrier. This alignment will be in place approximately until spring 2025.

Motorists are also advised that the shift of the northbound I-25 off-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard to a new alignment is ongoing and will have a short acceleration lane.

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.

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) 

  • Temporary full closure of southbound I-25 between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe Avenue on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Use detour route.
  • North- and southbound I-25 alternating lane closures at South Academy Boulevard on Tuesday, Dec. 3 and Wednesday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • North- and southbound I-25 alternating lane closures at MP 127.5 on Tuesday, Dec. 3 and Wednesday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 right lane closure between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe Avenue on Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3 and Wednesday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., northbound I-25 left lane closure between Santa Fe Avenue and Mesa Ridge Parkway.
  • Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., alternating north- and southbound I-25 lane closures between Mesa Ridge Parkway and South Academy Boulevard.
  • Friday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., southbound I-25 left lane closure between Santa Fe Avenue and Mesa Ridge Parkway.
  • Alternating lane closures with flaggers on Bandley Drive approximately one mile north of Santa Fe Avenue on Monday, Dec. 2.

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between U.S. 85/87 and Milton Proby Parkway, Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour route.
  • Northbound I-25 on-ramp closure from eastbound South Academy Boulevard starting Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. Use detour route.
  • The northbound I-25 off-ramp lanes at South Academy Boulevard shifts to temporary alignment ongoing through Dec. 14.
  • Ongoing shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek to middle until spring 2025
  • Ongoing full closure of existing north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramps from US 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp, in place until fall 2024
  • 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 (US 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 US 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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