I-25 South Gap paving ramps up, total project completion slated for fall 2022

Travel Advisory

April 21, 2022 - Central/Eastern & Southeastern Colorado

Stay informed: text I25Gap to 21000 and follow the I-25 South Gap Facebook Page

Douglas & El Paso Counties—After delivering increased mobility by placing traffic in its final alignment along the Interstate 25 South Gap project between Castle Rock and Monument, the Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor partner Kraemer North America will make the final push towards project completion through paving operations near Larkspur as temperatures increase.

The project’s final construction season will focus on permanent paving and striping, installation of tolling infrastructure, completion of the extensive wildlife mitigation system, permanent sign installation and landscaping. Motorists can expect a variety of impacts along the 18-mile corridor during this work, including daytime and overnight lane closures.

General Lane Closure Hours

  • Daytime – Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays (as needed), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Two lanes will remain open to traffic unless emergency operations require an additional lane closure.
  • Overnight – Sunday through Friday, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
    • Two lanes of I-25 may be closed at a time. One lane of I-25 will be open.
  • Extended Express Lane closures (on an as needed basis)
    • To increase efficiency, if crews require both daytime and nighttime Express Lane closures in a workday, crews may implement an extended closure of the Express Lanes. In the case of an extended Express Lane closure, motorists can expect the closure to begin at 8 a.m. and last until 5 a.m. the following day. In rare cases, these closures may occur on Saturdays.

Please stay the course on I-25 and know before you go by staying connected to our communication channels.

Extended Express Lane Closures

This spring and summer, crews will require extended Express Lane closures for as long as two weeks for drainage work in the median area of I-25. The two general purpose lanes will remain open during peak travel hours, but motorists can expect a double lane closure during overnight construction hours. Drivers should stay on I-25 and avoid taking detours. Stay tuned to our various communication channels for more information on this work.

Safety Reminders

  • Heed the speed - speeds remain reduced throughout the I-25 South Gap project construction zone, with speed limit drops occurring during incidents on the corridor. Pay attention to your speed and know that the Colorado State Patrol performs increased enforcement in the area, both on the ground and by aircraft.
  • Don’t cross the double-white lines - When using the Express Lanes, do not cross the cross the double-white lines. Please use the white skip lines to enter and exit the Express Lanes. High speeds and jumping in and out of the Express Lanes is a dangerous combination and illegal. If you witness unsafe driving behavior, call *CSP from a safe place and report it.

Media Staging Area

When covering the project, members of the media must use one of three staging areas. Before accessing these areas, please reach out to a CDOT project representative (see contact info below). The I-25 South Gap remains an active construction zone. Media outside of the staging areas will be reported to the Colorado State Patrol and removed the from the project for their safety, and that of our crews and the traveling public.

Please contact Bob Wilson (303-916-1456) or Tamara Rollison (720-663-9552) for more information.

Project Contact Information

About the Project

The I-25 South Gap Express Lanes opened to traffic on Dec. 10, 2021, and tolls are temporarily waived for testing. Significant construction of the I-25 South Gap project was completed a year ahead of schedule. There is more work to be done, such as a final layer of paving and tolling infrastructure installation. Toll testing is expected to last through much of 2022.

The $419 million project also delivered shoulder widening, new bridges, new wildlife crossings/fencing, improved operations with a southbound I-25 truck climbing lane near Monument, a southbound I-25 truck chain up station, and modernized technology. While significant construction was completed in mid-December 2021, the entire project, including toll testing, will be completed by November 2022.

About Express Lanes

When toll collection begins, motorists will have the choice of using the Express Lane for a faster, more reliable travel time in exchange for a toll. Express Lanes will be free to vehicles with three or more people and motorcycles. All travelers will have the choice of taking the general-purpose lanes for free.

Motorists are urged to use the lanes safely, heed the speed limit, and enter and exit the Express Lane through the dashed white line only. In addition, it is illegal to use an Express Lane as a passing lane and motorists can be fined if it is used for that purpose.