Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of April 21, 2024

Travel Advisory

April 19, 2024 - Nighttime southbound I-25 off-ramp closures planned at Magrath Avenue (Mesa Ridge Parkway) for hauling operations

Colorado Springs —­­­­  The Colorado Department of Transportation has scheduled a nighttime closure of the southbound I-25 off-ramp (exit 132B) to westbound Magrath Avenue (Mesa Ridge Parkway) on Monday, April 22 through Wednesday, April 24, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., to allow crews to haul topsoil for placement in the median. In addition, the southbound right lane at exit 132B will also be closed to allow truck access.

Full nighttime closure of southbound I-25 off-ramp and right lane at Magrath Avenue (exit 132B):

  • Monday, April 22, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Tuesday, April 23, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Wednesday, April 24, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

A detour will be in place:

  • Traffic intending to exit I-25 to westbound Magrath Avenue (Mesa Ridge Parkway) will continue south to Santa Fe Avenue (exit 128), turn around to re-enter I-25 north and travel to exit 132.

Also, a temporary closure of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes under Interstate 25 is planned as part of the MAMSIP bridge reconstruction project to perform bridge deck overhang work over South Academy Boulevard. Work is planned during evening hours on Thursday, April 25.

Detour map of I-25 Exit 132B to westbound Magrath Avenue (Mesa Ridge Parkway)

Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard:

  • Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard: 

  • Thursday, April 25, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Detours will be in place: 

  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted south on I-25 to Colorado Highway 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.

The speed limit in this area has been reduced to 60 MPH. Traffic delays of 10-15 minutes are expected and motorists are urged to use extra caution while traveling in the area. Fines will be doubled through the construction zone.

There will also be a southbound I-25 mobile right lane closure on Monday, April 22, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue to allow crews to perform signage work.

On Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., and Friday, April 26, 8 p.m. to 9 a.m., there will be a southbound I-25 right lane closure south of South Academy Boulevard (mile points 134.5 to 133.5) and south of Mesa Ridge Parkway (MP 131 to 130) to allow crews to continue hauling topsoil.

Map of Temporary Closure and Detour on Eastbound and Westbound South Academy Boulevard on I-25

There will be ongoing southbound US 85/87 right and auxiliary lane closures under the South Academy bridge from Sunday, April 22 at 12 a.m. through Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. to allow crews to install drainage pipe across the roadway. Motorists are urged to use caution traveling through the area.

Due to gas line work in the area, north- and southbound US 85/87 left lane closures under the South Academy Boulevard bridge have been rescheduled for Saturday, April 27, 4:30 a.m., through Tuesday, May 7, to allow crews to continue drainage pipe installation across the roadway.

Also, on Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. through Saturday, April 27, 4:30 a.m., there will be north- and southbound US 85/87 alternating lane closures under the South Academy Boulevard bridge to allow crews to place lane striping for a temporary new configuration which will consist of a single lane closure in both the north- and southbound directions.

Additionally, there is a tentative plan to close the southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to US 85/87 on Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. to Saturday, April 27, 12 p.m. for installation of drainage pipe across the roadway. A detour will be in place:

  • Traffic intending to exit southbound South Academy Boulevard to US 85/87 will continue west and turn right onto Venetucci Boulevard, travel north and turn right onto the B Street overpass, and immediately turn right onto the CanAm Highway.

Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge will be reduced to one lane of alternating traffic on Tuesday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with flaggers and signage to assist travelers in navigation through construction to allow crews to perform work on new bridge pier caps. This closure is necessary for the safety of the traveling public. Expect minor delays. In case of inclement weather, a contingency has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday, April 25.

A shift to a temporary on-ramp for drivers entering northbound South Academy Boulevard from US 85/87 is ongoing as crews will perform work on roadway, drainage and utilities in the area. The ramp lane width will be reduced to 12 feet, and speeds will be reduced to 30 MPH. This closure will be in effect approximately 5-6 months.

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. Work crews are installing signage and flashing beacons to alert traffic to the reduced merge lengths.

All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard will be shifted to the center of the roadway ongoing to allow crews to perform work on new bridge piers.

A left lane closure is ongoing for northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road to allow crews to perform bridge work.

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)

  • Monday, April 22 through Wednesday, April 24, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
    • Temporary full closure of southbound I-25 off-ramp and right lane at Magrath Avenue, exit 132B. Detours will be in place.
  • Monday, April 22, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
    • Southbound I-25 mobile right lane closure between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue, mile points 136 to 128.
  • Thursday, April 25, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
    • Full closures of westbound South Academy Boulevard at I-25. Use detour route.
  • Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. 
    • Full closures of eastbound South Academy Boulevard at I-25. Use detour route.
  • Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. 
    • Southbound I-25 right lane closure at MP 134.5 to 133.5 and MP 131 to 130
  • Friday, April 26, 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.
    • Southbound I-25 right lane closure at MP 134.5 to 133.5 and MP 131 to 130

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Sunday, April 22, 12 a.m. through Friday, April 26, 7 p.m.
    • Southbound US 85/87 right and auxiliary lane closure under South Academy Boulevard.
  • Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. through Saturday, April 27, 4:30 a.m.
    • North- and southbound US 85/87 alternating lane closures under South Academy Boulevard.
  • Saturday, April 27, 4:30 a.m., through Tuesday, May 7
    • Northbound US 85/87 left lane closures under South Academy Boulevard.
  • Tuesday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard bridge reduced to one lane of alternating traffic.
  • Thursday, April 25, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (contingency)
    • Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard bridge reduced to one lane of alternating traffic.
  • Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. to 12 p.m. (tentative)
    • Southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp closure to US 85/87.
  • Ongoing full closure of existing northbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramp from US 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp, in place for approx. 5-6 months
  • Ongoing northbound and southbound left lane closure at South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road
  • Ongoing shift of all lanes on Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard bridge
  • Ongoing closure of the Fountain Creek Regional Trail under South Academy Boulevard

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!

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