Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of Aug. 31, 2025

Travel Advisory

Aug. 29, 2025 - Southeastern Colorado - Ongoing lane reductions on South Academy Boulevard between Venetucci Boulevard and Coventry Drive for traffic signal work during September

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Colorado Springs — There will be ongoing lane reductions on north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard between Venetucci Boulevard and Coventry Drive starting on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 1 a.m. to allow crews to install traffic signals and islands. This is needed to keep crews safe while performing the work. This alignment is anticipated to remain in place through September 2025.

  • Northbound South Academy Boulevard two left turn lanes for the I-25 northbound on-ramp (135 ramp) will be reduced to one left turn lane, as well as other auxiliary lanes and shoulders
  • There will still be two thru lanes on north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard in this area

Delays should be expected, particularly during peak travel times. Drivers should allow extra time, maintain safe following distances, and merge early and safely when approaching the work zone. Drivers planning to access I-25 northbound will need to move to the center lane well in advance.

There will be an overnight temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for asphalt paving operations. A detour will be in place:

  • 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.
Detour map for full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25
Detour map for full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25

There will also be overnight temporary full closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Milton Proby Parkway on Tuesday, Sept. 2, Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for road milling and asphalt paving operations. A detour will be in place:

  • Northbound traffic will exit at US 85/87 and travel south to Fontaine Boulevard, turn north onto Grinnell Boulevard, turn west onto Bradley Road, turn north onto Hancock Expressway, turn west onto Milton Proby Parkway, and enter northbound South Academy.
Detour map for overnight closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Milton Proby Parkway
Detour map for overnight closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Milton Proby Parkway

There will be overnight temporary full closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and US Highway 85/87 on Wednesday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for asphalt paving operations. A detour will be in place:

  • Northbound traffic will enter southbound I-25, travel south and exit at Mesa Ridge Parkway (exit 132A), travel east and turn north onto U.S. 85/87, and continue to northbound South Academy Boulevard.
Detour map for overnight closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and US Highway 85/87
Detour map for overnight closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and US Highway 85/87

There will be a southbound I-25 alternating lane closures at South Academy Boulevard on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for concrete grinding work.

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.

Project operations will cease at noon on Friday through Monday, Sept. 1 in recognition of the Labor Day Holiday and weekend.

Traffic Impacts

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Ongoing lane reductions on north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard between Venetucci Boulevard and Coventry Drive starting on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 1 a.m. through September 2025. Plan for delays
  • Overnight temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Use detour route as described above
  • Overnight temporary full closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Milton Proby Parkway on Tuesday, Sept. 2, Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Use detour route as described above
  • Overnight temporary full closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and US 85/87 on Wednesday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Use detour route as described above
  • Southbound I-25 alternating lane closures at South Academy Boulevard on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • 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!

Download the COtrip App!

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