Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of Aug. 17, 2025

Travel Advisory

Aug. 15, 2025 - Southeastern Colorado - Overnight closures on South Academy Boulevard between Venetucci Boulevard and Milton Proby Parkway for pavement milling and striping

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Colorado Springs — There will be an eastbound South Academy Boulevard right lane closure between Venetucci Boulevard and Interstate 25 on Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for asphalt roadway milling operations. The eastbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramp near Pikes Peak State College parking lot B, and the eastbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-25 will also be closed. Detours will be in place:

  • PPSC traffic intending to enter eastbound South Academy Boulevard will continue northwest and use the right turn lane at the main entrance.
  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard traffic intending to enter southbound I-25 will travel approximately 150 feet and use the next entrance ramp.
Detour map for eastbound South Academy Boulevard right lane closure between Venetucci Boulevard and Interstate 25
Detour map for eastbound South Academy Boulevard right lane closure between Venetucci Boulevard and Interstate 25

There will be overnight temporary full closures of three sections of northbound South Academy Boulevard along the MAMSIP project corridor during the week of Aug. 17. Crews will perform milling of the road surface to prepare for placement of new pavement as construction work progresses. Detours will be in place.

  • Temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
    • Northbound traffic will enter southbound I-25, travel to Mesa Ridge Parkway (exit 132A), travel across the bridge and enter northbound I-25, exit at Mile Point 135 and enter northbound South Academy
  • Temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and US Highway 85/87 on Thursday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
    • Northbound traffic will enter southbound I-25, travel to Mesa Ridge Parkway (exit 132A), travel east to US 85/87 and turn north, turn east onto Fontaine Boulevard, turn north onto Grinnell Boulevard, turn west onto Bradley Road, and enter northbound South Academy
  • Temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Bradley Road on Friday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
    • Northbound traffic will turn right onto southbound US 85/87, turn east onto Fontaine Boulevard, turn north onto Grinnell Boulevard, turn west onto Bradley Road, and enter northbound South Academy
Detour maps for northbound South Academy Boulevard closures for week of Aug. 17
Detour maps for northbound South Academy Boulevard closures for week of Aug. 17, 2025

There will be an overnight temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Bradley Road on Thursday, Aug.21, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. to allow crews to apply new lane striping. A detour will be in place:

  • Southbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit onto Bradley Road, travel east to Main Street, travel south to US 85/87, travel northwest and re-enter South Academy Boulevard
Detour map of full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Bradley Road
Detour map of full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Bradley Road

A shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek towards the center is ongoing to allow crews to work on the outside lanes. This alignment is anticipated to remain in place until September 2025.

Motorists should use caution as lanes will be narrowed across the southbound bridge over US 85/87 so crews can continue bridge work.

Motorists are advised that the shift of the northbound I-25 off-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard to a new alignment is ongoing and has a short acceleration lane.

Motorists are advised to use caution at all entrance ramps as merge lengths have been shortened. There is a new on-ramp from US 85/87 onto South Academy Boulevard.

These closures are weather-dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Eastbound South Academy Boulevard right lane closure between Venetucci Boulevard and I-25 on Wednesday , Aug. 20, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
  • Temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Use detour route as described above
  • Temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and US Highway 85/87 on Thursday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Use detour route as described above
  • Temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Bradley Road on Thursday, Aug.21, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Use detour route
  • Temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Bradley Road on Friday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Use detour route as described above
  • Ongoing shift of all lanes of Bradley Road to the north under South Academy Boulevard bridge
  • Ongoing full closure of existing north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramps from US 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp
  • Ongoing shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek until August 2025

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 US 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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