Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of June 8, 2025

Travel Advisory

June 6, 2025 - Southbound lanes on South Academy Boulevard closed for construction between Bradley Road and US 85/87

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Colorado Springs — There will be a temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Bradley Road and US Highway 85/87 from 7 p.m. on Friday, June 13 through 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 to allow crews to perform bridge work on the US 85/87 bridge. 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 for closure at southbound South Academy Boulevard between Bradley Road and US 858
Detour map for closure at southbound South Academy Boulevard between Bradley Road and US 858

There will be various right lane closures on southbound South Academy Boulevard between Interstate 25 and Milton Proby Parkway nightly on Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., to allow crews to move safety barriers.

A shift and lane reduction of southbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Coventry Drive is ongoing to allow crews to perform rehabilitation work on the Fountain Creek bridge deck and curbs. This lane reduction will be in place through early July 2025. Motorists are advised to use caution, as the southbound lane width will be narrowed across the bridge, or to use alternative routes.

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 south- and northbound 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 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

  • Temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Bradley Road and US 85/87 on Friday, June 13, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour route outlined above.
  • Various southbound South Academy Boulevard right lane closures between I-25 and Milton Proby Parkway on Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
  • Only one southbound lane is open on South Academy Boulevard where it crosses Fountain Creek Bridge. This lane restriction will continue through early July 2025. Please drive carefully and expect delays due to the reduced traffic flow across the bridge.
  • Ongoing shift of southbound South Academy Boulevard towards the outside over US 85/87 through July 2025.
  • Ongoing shift of south- and northbound 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

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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