Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of September 3

Travel Advisory

September 1, 2023 - Southeastern Colorado - Nighttime South Academy Boulevard closures planned for bridge demolition

Colorado Springs —­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard under Interstate 25, allowing northbound I-25 traffic to detour using on- and off-ramps to continue on I-25 at South Academy Boulevard as part of the MAMSIP bridge reconstruction project. I-25 bridge demolition work over South Academy Boulevard is planned to begin Friday night, Sept. 8 through Monday morning, Sept. 11. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public. All lanes will reopen at 6:30 a.m.

Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Friday, Sept. 8, 8 p.m. through Monday, Sept. 11, 6:30 a.m.

Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Friday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m. through Monday, Sept. 11, 4:30 a.m.

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

  • Friday, Sept. 8, 8 p.m. through Monday, Sept. 11, 5 a.m.
Southbound and northbound I-25 detour map using on- and off-ramps
Southbound and northbound I-25 detour map using on- and off-ramps

Detours will be in place:

  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted south on I-25 to CO 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 exit 135 off-ramp and re-enter the on-ramp to continue north.

On Tuesday, Sept. 5 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fountain Creek Regional Trail will be closed between CO 16 and South Academy Boulevard (northbound I-25 MP 133) for drainage work.

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Drivers can anticipate a left lane and middle lane closure on northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road on Saturday night, Sept, 9, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., for setting temporary concrete barrier and striping.

Also, Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge will be closed nightly Tuesday, Sept. 12 through Thursday, Sept, 14, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., for demolition of bridge overhang structures. This closure is necessary for the safety of the traveling public.

Detour route for Bradley Road closure
Detour route for Bradley Road closure
  • 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 Boulevard.

These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

Night work on northbound I-25 at South Academy Boulevard for bridge demolition (Mile Point 135):

  • Friday, Sept. 8, 8 p.m. to Monday, Sept. 11, 6:30 a.m.
    • Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard
  • Friday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m. to Monday, Sept. 11, 4:30 a.m.
    • Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard
  • Friday, Sept. 8, 8 p.m. to Monday, Sept. 11, 5:00 a.m.
    • Re-route traffic on northbound I-25 using South Academy Boulevard exit 135 off-ramp and re-enter the on-ramp to continue north.

Night work on northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard for widening project:

  • Saturday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., southbound and northbound left lane and middle lane closure at South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road
  • Tuesday, Sept. 12 through Thursday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., full closure of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard bridge

Fountain Creek Regional Trail closure:

  • Tuesday, Sept. 5, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., full closure of Fountain Creek Regional Trail between South Academy Boulevard and CO 16.

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!

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!