Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of March 2, 2025

Travel Advisory

Feb. 28, 2025 - Temporary full closures of southbound and northbound South Academy Boulevard near US Highway 85/87 planned for bridge construction

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Colorado Springs — There will be a temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard at Bradley Road on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for welding operations on the bridge structures over US Highway 85/87. A detour will be in place:

  • Southbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit onto Bradley Road, travel east to Main Street, travel south to US Highway 85/87, and travel north to re-enter South Academy Boulevard.
Detour map for closure at southbound South Academy Boulevard
Detour map for closure at southbound South Academy Boulevard

The southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to Coventry Drive will be temporarily closed on Monday, March 3, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to allow crews to perform sound wall work near the roadway. A detour will be in place:

  • Traffic intending to enter Coventry Drive from southbound South Academy Boulevard will continue east to Venetucci Boulevard, travel north to B Street and turn east onto East Las Vegas Street (CanAm Highway), turn south onto Maxwell Street and turn onto Coventry Drive.

There will be temporary full closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard at US Highway 85/87 on Tuesday, March 4 through Thursday, March 6, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for welding operations on the bridge structures over US Highway 85/87. A detour will be in place:

  • Northbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit onto US Highway 85/87, travel south to Main Street, travel north to Bradley Road, and travel north to re-enter South Academy Boulevard.
Detour map for closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard
Detour map for closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard

The southbound US Highway 85/87 auxiliary lane at South Academy Boulevard will be closed on Wednesday, March 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for crews to prepare for bridge jacking operations.

There will be a temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard at Bradley Road starting Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m. to Monday, March 10 at 4:30 a.m. for bridge jacking operations over US Highway 85/87. A detour will be in place:

  • Southbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit onto Bradley Road, travel east to Main Street, travel south to US Highway 85/87, and travel north to re-enter South Academy Boulevard.

All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard are shifted to the north to allow crews to continue work on slope paving for the bridge.

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

Motorists should use caution as lanes will be narrowed across the southbound bridge over US Highway 85 so crews can continue bridge work.

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

Motorists are advised to use caution at all entrance ramps as merge lengths have been shortened. There is a new on-ramp from US Highway 85/87 onto South Academy Boulevard.

These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard at Bradley Road, Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Use detour route
  • Southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp closure to Coventry Drive, Monday, March 3, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Use detour route.
    Temporary full closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard at US Highway 85/87 on Tuesday, March 4 through Thursday, March 6, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour routes
  • Southbound US Highway 85/87 auxiliary lane closure at South Academy Boulevard, Wednesday, March 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard at Bradley Road starting Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m. to Monday, March 10 at 4:30 a.m. Use detour routes
  • Ongoing shift of all lanes of Bradley Road to the north under South Academy Boulevard bridge
  • 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

I-25 temporary closures between US Highway 85/Fountain (Mile Point 127) and South Academy Boulevard (MP 135) for road inspection

Northbound I-25 temporary full closure between MP 127 and 135 on Tuesday, March 4, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., to inspect concrete panels and damaged guardrail and cable rail. Use detour routes.

  • Northbound I-25 traffic will exit at Santa Fe Avenue, turn north onto the CanAm Highway (US 85/87), travel to South Academy Boulevard, turn west and re-enter I-25. The northbound on-ramp to I-25 from Mesa Ridge Parkway/CO 16 will also be closed.
Detour map of northbound I-25 closure
Detour map of northbound I-25 closure

Project Overview

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.

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 Highway 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 Colorado Highway 16

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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