Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of July 13, 2025
Travel Advisory
Colorado Springs — As part of the Interstate 25 Safety Improvements project, the Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close southbound I-25 between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue (Mile Point 135 to 128) for the nights of Friday, July 18 from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.; Saturday, July 19 from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.; and Sunday, July 20 from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Work consists of performing grinding and sealing of concrete panels, replacement of cracked panels, replacement of damaged guardrail and other project list items. This closure is necessary for the safety of the traveling public.
- Detour for southbound I-25 will be in place:
- Southbound I-25 traffic will take exit 135 off-ramp to eastbound South Academy Blvd. Traffic will be diverted south to US 85/87 (CanAm Highway) to Santa Fe Avenue where they will re-enter southbound I-25
- Possible traffic slowdowns. Expect delays.
- Plan additional time to travel through the area.
El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project
There will be a temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US Highway 85/87 and Bradley Road on Thursday, July 17, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to reset safety barriers and place lane striping for a traffic switch to the outside lane. A detour will be in place:
- Northbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit onto US 85/87, travel south to Main Street, travel north to Bradley Road, and travel north to re-enter South Academy Boulevard.
There will also be a temporary full closure of the southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to US 85/87 on Thursday, July 17, 8:45 p.m. to 3 a.m. for crews to perform work on the bridge. The southbound South Academy Boulevard right lane over US 85/87 approaching the off-ramp will also be closed. A detour will be in place:
- Traffic intending to exit southbound South Academy Boulevard to US 85/87 will travel west and turn north onto Venetucci Boulevard, turn east onto B Street, and turn south to enter CanAm Highway (US 85/87).
Overnight alternating lane closures on northbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 are also scheduled on Thursday, July 17, 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for barrier removal.
A shift of southbound South Academy Boulevard towards the outside over US 85/87 is ongoing to allow crews to continue work on the bridge. This alignment is anticipated to remain in place through July 2025.
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, install drainage pipes and construct a noise barrier. This alignment is anticipated to remain in place until August 2025.
All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard are shifted to the north to allow crews to continue work on slope paving for the bridge.
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
I-25 between MP 128 and 135
Nighttime closures:
- Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., southbound I-25 temporary closure between MP 128 and 135
- Sunday, July 20 from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., southbound I-25 temporary closure between MP 128 and 135
South Academy Boulevard Widening Project
- Temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Bradley Road on Thursday, July 17, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour route outlined above.
- Temporary full closure of the southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to US 85/87 on Thursday, July 17, 8:45 p.m. to 3 a.m. Use detour route outlined above.
- Southbound South Academy Boulevard right lane closure at US 85/87 on Thursday, July 17, 8:45 p.m. to 3 a.m.
- Alternating lane closures on northbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 on Thursday, July 17, 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
- Ongoing shift of southbound South Academy Boulevard towards the outside over US 85/87 through July 2025.
- Ongoing shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek until August 2025.
- 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.
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
- Website: codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements
- Email: [email protected]
- Hotline: 719-800-2162
- Register for Alerts: Text MAMSIP to 888-970-9665
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:
- Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
- Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
- Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
- See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
- Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
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!
