Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of July 20, 2025

Colorado Springs — As part of the Interstate 25 Safety and Improvements project, the Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close southbound Interstate 25 from South Academy Boulevard (Mile Post 135) to Santa Fe Avenue (MP 128) on Sunday, July 20, from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for final project work.

On Monday, July 21 and Tuesday July 22 from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., CDOT will close northbound I-25 from Santa Fe Avenue (MP 128) to South Academy Boulevard (MP 135). Work consists of performing grinding and sealing of concrete panels, replacement of cracked panels, replacement of damaged guardrails and other final project work. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public.

• Detour for north- and southbound I-25 will be in place:
  • Southbound I-25 traffic will take exit 135 on to South Academy Boulevard, go west to US 85/87 (CanAm Highway), travel south to Santa Fe Avenue to enter I-25
  • Northbound I-25 traffic will take exit 128 off-ramp to north US 85/87 (CanAm Highway) to westbound South Academy Boulevard to I-25
• Possible traffic slowdowns. Expect delays
• Plan additional time to travel through the area

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard are shifted to the north to allow crews to continue work on the bridge.

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.

There is a temporary on-ramp to north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard from CanAm Highway (US 85/87) still in place.

Temporary full closure of the southbound South Academy Boulevard from Milton E Proby Parkway to US 85/87 on Friday, July 25, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to move South Academy Boulevard to its final alignment. A detour will be in place:

• Traffic traveling southbound on South Academy Boulevard to Milton E Proby Parkway, needs to turn right onto Hancock Express Parkway, to Main Street, and turn north to enter CanAm Highway (US 85/87), then take the on-ramp back onto South Academy Boulevard.

Contingency: Temporary full closure of the northbound South Academy Boulevard to Milton E Proby Parkway on Monday, July 21, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for a traffic switch. A detour will be in place:

• Traffic traveling northbound on South Academy Boulevard will exit at CanAm Highway (US 85/87), travel south to Main Street, turn left on Bradley Road travel to the on-ramp back onto South Academy Boulevard.

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

I-25 between Santa Fe Avenue and South Academy Boulevard

Nighttime closures:

• Sunday, July 20, from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., southbound I-25 temporary closure between MP 135 and 128
• Monday, July 21 and Tuesday, July 22, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., northbound I-25 temporary closure between MP 128 and 135

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

• Contingency: Temporary full closure of the southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to US 85/87 on Monday, July 21, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour route outlined above
• Full closure of the southbound South Academy Boulevard from Milton E Proby Parkway to US 85/87 on Friday, July 25, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour route outlined above
• Full closure of the northbound South Academy Boulevard to Milton E Proby Parkway on Monday, July 21, 7 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

• 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!