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

Travel Advisory

November 22, 2023 - Southeastern Colorado - Work this week includes temporary closure of Bradley Road

Colorado Springs —­­ Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge will be closed Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and reopen Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. to allow crews to relocate utilities and place drainage pipes.

Bradley Road closure and detour map east and westbound
Bradley Road closure and detour map east and westbound

Detours in place

  • Eastbound Bradley Road traffic will be diverted south on South Academy Boulevard, exit onto the CanAm Highway, turn around and re-enter South Academy northbound to the Bradley Road exit, and turn east.
  • Westbound Bradley Road traffic will be diverted to Hancock Expressway, turn north and turn west onto Milton Proby Parkway, turn south and travel to the Bradley Road exit, or turn north to continue on northbound South Academy.

There will be nighttime closures of the right two lanes of northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard over Fountain Creek from Monday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 30 for asphalt grinding, lane striping and barrier shifts. This to shift traffic to the outside lanes to allow for drainage, barrier and roadway work in the median. This work will continue through Spring/Summer of 2024. The on-ramp from Hartford to northbound Academy Boulevard will have a no merge area. Please be cautious and yield before entering the roadway.

A left lane closure is ongoing for northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road to allow crews to perform bridge work. This left lane closure will be in place for approximately three months.

There will also be an ongoing auxiliary lane closure on northbound South Academy Boulevard between Hartford Street and Fountain Creek through mid-December for drainage line work.

All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard will periodically be shifted to the south or north side of the roadway to allow crews to perform pier construction.

These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Monday, November 27 through Thursday, November 30, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., right two lane closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard over Fountain Creek
  • Friday, December 1, 7 p.m. to Saturday, December 2, 7 p.m., full closure of Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge
  • Ongoing northbound and southbound left lane closure at South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road, in place for approximately five months
  • Ongoing northbound auxiliary lane closure on South Academy Boulevard between Hartford Street and Fountain Creek. This auxiliary lane will be closed through mid-December
  • Ongoing shift of all lanes on Bradley Road to north side and south side of roadway under South Academy Boulevard bridge
  • Ongoing closure of the Fountain Creek Regional Trail under South Academy Boulevard

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 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!

The new FREE COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!