Update: Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of March 17, 2024

Travel Advisory

March 15, 2024 - Southeastern Colorado - Nighttime South Academy Boulevard closures planned for bridge girder set

Colorado Springs —­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes under Interstate 25 and detour north and southbound I-25 using on- and off-ramps at South Academy Boulevard as part of the MAMSIP bridge reconstruction project to install bridge girders over South Academy Boulevard. Work is planned during evening hours on Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20. South Academy Boulevard will also have nighttime closures in the eastbound and westbound direction, March 21-23 and March 25 to 29, to install overhangs and decking for the bridge. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public. 

Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, March 21, 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
  • Friday, March 22, 10:30 p.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29, 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard

  • Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, March 21, 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Friday, March 22, 10:30 p.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

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

  • Northbound I-25, Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25, Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

The following 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 reenter I-25 south to South Academy Boulevard
  • North and southbound I-25 traffic will take exit 135 off-ramps and re-enter the on-ramps to continue

The speed limit in this area has been reduced to 60 MPH. Traffic delays of 10 to15 minutes are expected and motorists are urged to use extra caution while traveling in the area. Fines will be doubled through the construction zone.

Also, drivers can anticipate southbound I-25 right lane closures Wednesday, March 20 through Friday, March 22 to allow crews to haul topsoil and install permanent signs:

  • Southbound I-25 right lane closure between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue between mile point 131.0 to 132.0
    • Wednesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
    • Friday, March 22, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Detour for South Academy Boulevard bridge work over I-25 project map
Detour for South Academy Boulevard bridge work over I-25 project map

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Due to weather impacts, the shift to a new temporary on-ramp for drivers traveling from US 85/87 to enter northbound South Academy Boulevard is now scheduled for Monday afternoon, March 18, 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 five to six months.

Shift to a new temporary on-ramp for drivers traveling from US 85 87 to enter northbound South Academy Boulevard map location
Shift to a new temporary on-ramp for drivers traveling from US 85 87 to enter northbound South Academy Boulevard map location

On Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., there will be alternating northbound lane closures on South Academy Boulevard over Fountain Creek, along with traffic controlled by pacing vehicles, as crews place new striping, remove temporary barrier and prepare the roadway to re-open all lanes on the northbound and southbound bridges. Drivers should use caution through this area and prepare for reduced speeds during this work.

Also, northbound South Academy Boulevard will be temporarily closed south of US 85/87 on Friday, March 22, 7 p.m. to Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m., March 23 to allow crews to install drainage pipes across the roadway. A detour will be in place:

Northbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit to US 85/87 detour map
Northbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit to US 8587, travel south and turn left onto Fontaine Boulevard, travel east and turn left onto Grinnell Boulevard, travel north and turn left onto Bradley Road, travel west and turn right onto the on-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard.

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)

  • Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, March 21, 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
  • Friday, March 22, 10:30 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Eastbound South Academy Boulevard for a full closure at I-25 (Use detour route)

  • Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, March 21, 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Friday, March 22, 10:30 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Westbound South Academy Boulevard for a full closure at I-25 (Use detour route)

  • Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. - Full closures of westbound South Academy Boulevard at I-25. Use detour route
  • Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. - Re-route traffic on north- and southbound I-25 using on- and off-ramps at mile 135
  • Wednesday, March 20, and Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Southbound I-25 right lane closure between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue between mile 131 and 132

  • Friday, March 22, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. - Southbound I-25 right lane closure between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue between mile 131 and 132

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Monday afternoon, March 18 - 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. five to six months
  • Friday, March 22, 7 p.m. to Saturday afternoon 3 p.m., March 23 - Full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard at US 85/87 – detour in place
  • Ongoing full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard bridge over Fountain Creek – detour in place
  • 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!

Download the COtrip App!

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